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509 cam

1967gtx

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Perhaps someone could settle the question of installing a 509 cam in a stock 440 without any interference issues with valve to piston clearance? I say no problem!
 
No problem unless you go to 1.6 or 1.7 Rockers
unless the piston or above deck because of crazy decking
or you have cut 75 or 100 off the head surface.
The highest deck on flattop pistons in any 440 was .027 down
and most production engines are even way lower than that.
The spec on the 67 is 50 something down.

Probably not even an issue with 1.6 Rockers but a waste of effort
with the stock heads to increase lift any more than 500.
Duration is really the issue not generally lift except extreme
cases
 
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There are always a lot of posts that start out with: "I have a stock 440.......". So many things may have happened to a motor over the past 50 years. The 68-70 "stock" piston (0.050-0.055" below the deck on an uncut block) has not been available for over 30 years. Not to mention that a stock 68-70 440 could not run on any pump gas available for the past 40 years. And if you do have a stock 68-70 440, its hard to imagine that a 509 cam would be what it needs.

If it is a stock compression height 68-70 440, you should probably measure. All of the other years will have lower pistons, or valve notches and will probably be fine, unless there has been a lot of cutting on the heads and/or deck.

With motors that have been around for a long as these, you're best to simply measure.
 
As stated above, IF it truly is stock with no previous mods then throw it in no problems. Very hard to beat the idle sound of a 509 rolling in a 440. I'm running one myself and absolutely love it!
 
My 440 is a C 440 HP with 68 pistons and rods, 915 heads, stock bore and stroke. The deck is -.055, the cam is 484 purple shaft, intake is Eddy TM7 with 800 AVS 2, and Hookers, that's pretty stock and it still will scare the **** out of most people these days! :D
 
I agree, but one thing to keep in mind....if you talking truly stock engine.... that's about the largest you can run. Any higher lift and you will start smashing the stock valve seals off.
 
I know this is a lowly 383, but I can't believe that a stock 440 is .050-.055 below deck.
IMG_20220811_123957310.jpg
This engine had never been into before with 91K miles. I don't remember how far my 70 440 was below deck, but both engines went back completely stock, except for a cam. No boring, decking, and original pistons, rods, and crank.

IMG_20220811_123854403.jpg
 
I have posted this before, but a great sounding 509 cam.
 
It's the 292 duration that gives 509 that happy sound. I run a 534/541 w/292 in my Charger. Always get compliments on how it sounds.
 
I know this is a lowly 383, but I can't believe that a stock 440 is .050-.055 below deck.
View attachment 1361827This engine had never been into before with 91K miles. I don't remember how far my 70 440 was below deck, but both engines went back completely stock, except for a cam. No boring, decking, and original pistons, rods, and crank.

View attachment 1361826
How it wound up as .055 deck is with the 68 pistons, they are taller from the center line of the pin than 67 because of the emission ****!
 
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They made 2 versions of that cam one with a 114 LSA that is supposed to help low speed drivability.
 
68/69 Pistons spec @ .027 Down
67 spec @ .054 Down
70 spec @ .052 Down
Per NHRA specs from memory
67 915 spec 73 cc
68 to 71 spec 79 cc
72/73 spec 82
74 spec 83.2

How is that for memory = I did not look any of these up!


These spec were pretty much minimums as production
engines never reached near those.

Basically, Larry Shephard at Mopar cooked the books to give the
Mopars the advantage at the track = And it worked pretty well!
 
68/69 Pistons spec @ .027 Down
67 spec @ .054 Down
70 spec @ .052 Down
Per NHRA specs from memory
67 915 spec 73 cc
68 to 71 spec 79 cc
72/73 spec 82
74 spec 83.2

How is that for memory = I did not look any of these up!


These spec were pretty much minimums as production
engines never reached near those.

Basically, Larry Shephard at Mopar cooked the books to give the
Mopars the advantage at the track = And it worked pretty well!
After 75 yrs for me and my memory, that's spot on!
 
My Isky 292 mega has 509 specs. 292A/242@050/108LS/104ICL/505 lift. But single bolt only. I have SP2355 pistons that are in an uncut block about .020 down. After looking at my stock 452’s spring package I decided to upgrade to a set of CNC Stealths with the 11deg locks and double springs. I was worried about retainer to seal or spring coil bind. I think a stocker should have plenty of P/V clearance. I was told here that max lift on stock single spring heads was about .510.
 
68/69 Pistons spec @ .027 Down
67 spec @ .054 Down
70 spec @ .052 Down
Per NHRA specs from memory
67 915 spec 73 cc
68 to 71 spec 79 cc
72/73 spec 82
74 spec 83.2

How is that for memory = I did not look any of these up!


These spec were pretty much minimums as production
engines never reached near those.

Basically, Larry Shephard at Mopar cooked the books to give the
Mopars the advantage at the track = And it worked pretty well!
Having looked you up on google I am not surprised at your level of Mopar knowledge.
 
It's the 292 duration that gives 509 that happy sound. I run a 534/541 w/292 in my Charger. Always get compliments on how it sounds.
Believe it or not, it’s the LSA that gives it that choppy idle sound. Not the duration.
They made 2 versions of that cam one with a 114 LSA that is supposed to help low speed drivability.
Yes, the wider LSA makes off idle driving easier. You do how ever loose a bunch of torque.
 
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