Guest adml_giblets Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 hey guys, i picked up an un complete 383 kit from a guy a while back and i just got around to putting it together. well wouldn't you know it, i think i got hosed. but i don't think it's that bad as the block is in phenominal shape and the pistons are matched for the block with a pretty nice custom crank. the problem lies in the cam. it came with a zz4 cam (224@.050) hydraulic roller. i have the whole roller set up so i'm definatley sticking with that route. when i tried to install the cam gears the spacing of the bolt holes is off. upon further investigation the cam was set up for a later gen of block so i need to find a roller cam that has a more standard gear bolt hole spacing that i can use a button system with, as the block does not have the ability to run the roller cams retainer, plus i have a nice timing gear set that i paid way to much for to just throw off to the side. the heads i intend to run is a nice set of 202's straight from the shop all cleaned up and pretty like. what i would like is some good cam suggestions(street/strip), and i think some of you guys may have been through this before ,as far as trying to make somthing fit that inhearently doesn't appear to have been designed to for this year/ gen of block (69'-79' chevy 350 4bolt) casting # 3970010. thanks for the read, and any suggestions you have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Rod to cam clearance is not a given on a 383. Depending on what you've got, you may need to clearance the rods, run a small base circle cam, or both. If you need to clearance the rods, that needs to be done before balancing. Be sure you can use your lifters with a 1st gen block. Check your heads to be sure you can run the lift you want. Piston to valve clearance, spring rate, retainer to guide clearance, and coil bind can all be issues. Do some research to make sure the parts you buy will be usable and not incompatible. Some good reading here: http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/131229/ jt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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