'71 road runner 383 purple cam? - how can I find the model/specs with distributor removed?

Good evening tribe:

I'm replacing my worn out distributor with one from Halifaxhops (thanks for the referrals, we spoke this morning) and wondering what type of “purple” cam I have as seen by looking down the hole with the distributor removed. Please see picture below, you can see a purple gob which I guess means it's a purple cam? I got no history on this car or the engine, if I turn the motor over with the distributor out will there be some kind of number in the view?


Thanks everyone,

road robert

I can’t remember if the new comp “purple shafts” were actually purple or not. It’s probably an old DC/MP purple shaft.

The very early cams had identifiers on them(a system of colored stripes) but by the end of production in the 2000’s there seemed to be no rhyme or reason to the markings and numbers you could find. In any case these are on the ends of the cam which you won’t be able to see with it installed.

mopar cams in general were not stamped or marked with any useful info.

Only way to know for sure is a dial indicator and degree wheel.

road robert said:

Good evening tribe:

I'm replacing my worn out distributor with one from Halifaxhops (thanks for the referrals, we spoke this morning) and wondering what type of “purple” cam I have as seen by looking down the hole with the distributor removed. Please see picture below, you can see a purple gob which I guess means it's a purple cam? I got no history on this car or the engine, if I turn the motor over with the distributor out will there be some kind of number in the view?
View attachment 1888528

Thanks everyone,

road robert

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Not to my knowledge, only on the front of the cam gear smooth area and that’s got weird numbers some can decipher. I once witnessed at a Mopar speed shop a dial indicator that mounted in the lifter bore and the cam rotated one time to give a height or lift value that was kinda spot on but then you’d have to pull the intake,rocker shaft (make sure it goes on the correct way back on for oiling holes to line up) push rod and lifter to install the tool. Lotta work or you can kinda tell the cams radicalness by a few signs ( power brakes? Lob kinda or radical, intake looks stock, could be the 6pk cam replacement at .474 or if some more mods possibly a .484 or .509 or more but doubtful but those cams like a 2500-3000 stahl converter. Headers? Hard to tell once the cam is installed. Just my 2 cents and others will chime in. Could pop a valve cover and see if there’s double wound valve springs (another clue) Good luck Rick

I have an NOS Direct Connection purple shaft from 1985 when I bought my '70 Charger. I just pulled it out of the box and checked it over. There are no identifying marks anywhere on it other than the conspicuous use of purple paint.

The 1975 Direct Connection catalog does not use the term "purple shaft" whereas their 1983 catalog has a family of "purple shaft" camshafts listed; and all of them have different specs of course.

Part numbers and specs from the 1980 B-RB Engine Racing Manual; page 50.
Note: They did not use the term "purple shaft".


Excerpt from page 50:

1. Hydraulic Cams

The first choice for a moderate performance improvement in the 1958-67 B-RB engines and the newer 383-400 2-Bbl. engines would be the "Road Runner" cam, PN 3512907. This cam was used in the Road Runner 383's, the 1967-70, 375 HP 440, the 1971, 370 HP 440, the 1971, 300 HP 383, the 1972-76, 400-4 Bbl. H.P., the 1972-76 440-4 Bb1. Н.Р. and all 1968-70, 335 HP 383's. With 268-284° duration and .450" lift, this cam is a very versatile performer in any B-RB engine. This cam has been superseded by PN 4071002 which is the same profile.

The new Hemi profile cam, PN P3690214 is the next step in high performance hydraulic cams for the "B" engine family. With a duration of 284° and .470" lift, this cam has the radical idle characteristics to go with its increased performance. Although they are not required, the 440-6 Bbl. valve springs, PN P3690933 are recommended for use with the Hemi profile cam.

The next step in high performance hydraulic cam, P4120235 is the .484" lift D.C. profile with 284° duration. This is a cam and tappet package. It is considered to be the last step (biggest) cam for a dual purpose engine, especially with an automatic transmission.

Just a general comment: FABO-FBBO member @krazykuda posted a large tabulation of camshafts at FABO:

Factory V-8 Engine and Cam Specs by Year 1965-1975

I ran a 1980’s 292/509 and it had one tiny pink spot, between lobes, near the front of the cam where you could see it, over some purple paint. Besides the lobes, the whole can is purple. I would bet you have the “Hemi grind” purple shaft as listed above…..if it’s tough to keep it idling, maybe on of the others

PurpleBeeper said:

I ran a 1980’s 292/509 and it had one tiny pink spot, between lobes, near the front of the cam where you could see it, over some purple paint. Besides the lobes, the whole can is purple. I would bet you have the “Hemi grind” purple shaft as listed above…..if it’s tough to keep it idling, maybe on of the others

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Loved the 509 and time I pulled that in favor of the 484 for what I use the car for today (shows and cruising and of course those limited keep the competition in check)

There are different marks on two I have here. Both in numbers and paint dobs. The 458 also has red patch on it. One is a 450/458 and the other is a 484.

And the 484