1968 Camaro SS 396 325hp or 350hp Cam Specs?

[68RSboom]

Is there somewhere I can find the original cam specs "grind" for either a 1968 396 325hp or a 396 350 hp engine? I know the 375hp was a solid lift cam, were these two hydraulic or solid?

[bertfam]

The specs are in the Service Manual (and also in CBTN), but you have to remember, Chevrolet specs are not the same as aftermarket specs.

396/325 (Hydraulic) - .398 lift (intake and exhaust) 322 duration (intake and exhaust)
396/350 (Hydraulic) - .461 lift (intake) .480 lift (exhaust) 350 duration (intake) 352 duration (exhaust)

Ed

[68RSboom]

Ed,

Thanks for the response. Two things, what is the CBTN? and what do you mean by Chevrolet specs are not the same as aftermarket? Where can I get a new cam and lifters for a 1968 396 motor? I'm wanting to keep it as close to stock as possible.

Dan

[bertfam]

Dan, CBTN = Chevrolet by the Numbers, a series of books by Alan Colvin. They have a lot of great information in them.

The factory didn't use the same way of measuring cam specs as aftermarket sources. I don't remember exactly what the differences are, but John can tell you. I think it had something to do with where it's measured on the lifter rise (?) John???

"Where to buy" is another story and depends on what you want. You can get a "replacement" cam for the 396 at your local auto parts store! These are made by Melling or Clevite, etc... They work just fine for daily drivers as long as you don't go racing!! If you want aftermarket, then you can go with one of the "Muscle car" series of cams made by the various suppliers or go with a performance cam. It just depends on what you're looking for.

Ed

[Jerry@CHP]

GM cam specs are different because GM measured the camshaft from a different location.  Most cam manufactures measure at .050".

As to replacement camshafts, Comp Cams and Crane are two of the better companies.  We have built hundreds of engines over the years and had great success with both vendors, and they both make blue printed versions of the original GM camshafts.  Their quality control is better than many of the common place camshafts bought at your local parts stores.

Jerry 

[68RSboom]

Thanks for your help guys.