I'm currently rebuilding a 68 truck for my dad. It has the original 360, 2 barrel. I am converting it to a 390 bored .030 over with new crank and rods. Manual transmission ( three on the tree), stock tire size, and I think a 3.45 rear end. I am able to pick my cam included in the rebuild kit. With an Edelbrock 600, a Performer intake, Hedman headers, and cleaned up heads what type of cam would you pick? Since the rear end isn't posi and is "one wheel peel", I'm not looking for off the line acceleration. I want a noticeable idle difference but nothing too big. I prefer better acceleration between 2000 - 5000 rpm. Would a 223/223 duration @.050, 514/514 be too big of a cam for the 390? In a 360 the cam would be monstrous but I'm not sure about the 390.

 

Chevere 1, the cam you have mentioned is too big for the carb and manifold you have chosen. Your 390 might like a little bigger carb, like a 750. The performer manifold runs out of breath at about 3000. A RPM performer or blue thunder would fit your intended rev range better. The cam you have in mind will idle choppy but be liveable, however, a split duration cam is a better choice for an FE, the exhaust needs the help. Melling and Crane offer several choices. Don't forget the oiling system fixes. DF

 

I have to disagree with dinofan. The engine buildup you described is nearly identical to what I have. You have to remember its a 'big block' and therefore is hard to over-cam. The cam you've picked will give a noticeably different idle, but only enough that you can tell its not stock. Mine comes in around 2200 RPM and you can feel it kick in and smooth everything out when you hit it. The 600 CFM again is what I have, and have no complaints. Any carb calculator will say 600-650 cfm is plenty for street use.
Dave,
79 F-150 4x4, 390 w/C6, Edelbrock carb, 33X12.50 never will be finished.

 

I think for what you have as long as you got 9.5:1 compression I'd go with either a crane split duration, or find a cam that had the motorsports specs I think it was something like 212/218@.05 and .494/.510lift, for a mild engine this cam would probably perform pretty well, I do not agree with DF on his reccomendation for the Blue Thunder. Everything I've heard about it leans toward it being for high spinning 390's/428's for what's already been described as a engine that wont be used for racing. I do agree with him for the Perf. RPM though.


>You have to
>remember its a 'big block'
>and therefore is hard to
>over-cam.

You also have to remember that even though it's a big block that wont prevent overcamming, any engine when overcammed will lead to lower port velocity and less volumetric efficiency.