Good replacement cam for stock 440

[MoparMur]

Hey guys, we'll be using a '69 base 440 engine in Carmen's '64 Polara convertible. It will have headers, an old Offy Dual-Port intake, Carter or Holley 4bbl, and otherwise stock. Just a set of rings, bearings, valve springs, and that's it, as it is a good running engine now. I'm after ideas for a good replacement camshaft. Some may wonder about my choice of intake, but it's one I have and used many years ago on a low-squeeze 440 and it produced great torque. I'm not looking for something wild as it will definitely be a daily-driver application. Years ago I used a Sig Erson Hi-Flow 1 cam advanced 4 degrees with this intake and headers and the combo worked great. I know there will be some far-more modern grinds that you guys have used with success, and I'd love to hear about them. The wife doesn't want a race car, but a light lope and good drivability. Thanks for any ideas you may have.

 

[MoparMur]

Should also have mentioned auto trans., likely stock converter, and 3:23 sure grip. Could bump to 2400 stall if needed.

 

[turbine68rt]

I'm running a Comp 21-305-4 in mine with similar specs. 440/727/3.23. Like it so far after a little over 1k miles.

 

[F4R/T]

Call Bob Karakasian, aka Mr Six Pack. He has his his own line of cams that are nice, great guy to work with and offers a lot of free advice with guidance! He is a legend! Also a great friend of our dearly departed Tom Hoover, that taught Bob a lot..

 

[Challenger340]

I'm running a Comp 21-305-4 in mine with similar specs. 440/727/3.23. Like it so far after a little over 1k miles.

The XE268H Part# 21-223-4 works very well also, 224/230 @ 050 on 110...... just slightly more upper rpm pop, change to 23-223-4 for 3 Bolt T/Gear

 

[65-440]

The XE268H Part# 21-223-4 works very well also, 224/230 @ 050 on 110...... just slightly more upper rpm pop, change to 23-223-4 for 3 Bolt T/Gear

I'll second this one. That's what I'm running in my 383 with a 2500 stall/3.23 gear....

 

[Dart Mike]

Lunati's version of the 375 HP 440 Mopar performance cam
SKU
10211005

 

[PRHeads]

Just keep in mind that the use of the faster rate modern cams often come with added valvetrain noise.
If that’s something that’ll be a concern, then stick with some old school lobes.

It would be worth your while to take some measurements and calculate the actual compression ratio before finalizing the cam choice.

The Lunati mentioned above looks good, along with a Howard’s 720031-12, and the Comp 21-305-4 or 21-215-4.

 

[SattyNoCar]

How are the Hughes Engines 'Whiplash' cams? They're meant for a low compression stock engine.

http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/...hZnQ=&level2=V2hpcGxhc2ggTXVzY2xlIENhciBjYW1z

 

[khryslerkid]

I'm liking my Summit 6401. Recommended higher than stock TC but I'm running a stock one without any problems. 9:3.1 Automatic, 3:23 gear. Good vacuum also. The Summit 6400 is a bit milder and also a good choice. Add the letter K in front of the number for the kit, lifters included.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-6401

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-6400

 

[4mulas]

I'm liking my Summit 6401. Recommended higher than stock TC but I'm running a stock one without any problems. 9:3.1 Automatic, 3:23 gear. Good vacuum also. The Summit 6400 is a bit milder and also a good choice. Add the letter K in front of the number for the kit, lifters included.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-6401

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-6400

I bought the summit k6401, wiped 2 lifters in 20 minutes. Not impressed. Never again

 

[khryslerkid]

I bought the summit k6401, wiped 2 lifters in 20 minutes. Not impressed. Never again

Lot's of stories from other manufacturers cams also. I didn't use the recommended Comp 911 springs either. They are too heavy for the setup.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

How are the Hughes Engines 'Whiplash' cams? They're meant for a low compression stock engine.

http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/...hZnQ=&level2=V2hpcGxhc2ggTXVzY2xlIENhciBjYW1z

Edit..I believe there are two piston not one were put in cars in 69 even though mopar advertised them all as 10.1:1. The 350hp engines we have taken apart were about .080 down the deck. The 69 440 magnum and 6 pack were taller, Likely 040-.050ish down the deck. If yours was 350 hp it should be roughly .080ish down with compression around 9:1 or less.
Check your pistons and see how far down the deck they are and do more then one hole and then go use one of the many compression calculators to figure where your at before you buy a cam is still a good suggestion.

 

[MoparMur]

Excellent info, thanks to all. Will look closely at each of these recommendations. And yes I'll calculate the exact c/r when I pull it apart.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

I edited my earlier post as far as what compression 69 440s were w oem pistons. Yours shouldn't be a real low compression nor real high.
When your cam shopping I would not want to run a cam with a narrower lsa then 110 if I was putting my wife in behind the wheel. Narrower lsa the rougher the idle.

 

[Nate S]

I’ve found the simple old stock magnum cam to be quite serviceable in a stockish engine. Pretty cheap from rock auto too as are the magnum valve springs.

 

[MoparMur]

Nate that's pretty much what I'm thinking too. I have to be conservative, although I really would like to jazz it up a bit. I'll likely go slightly hotter than the magnum. But teardown first then see.

 

[68GTX4SPEED]

Lot's of stories from other manufacturers cams also. I didn't use the recommended Comp 911 springs either. They are too heavy for the setup.

I have bought the 6401 how are Edelbrock RPM heads springs, do I need to replace them?

 

[moparedtn]

Nate that's pretty much what I'm thinking too. I have to be conservative, although I really would like to jazz it up a bit. I'll likely go slightly hotter than the magnum. But teardown first then see.

A little warmer than a stock "magnum" cam? Ma got you covered, has for 50 years:
Mopar Purpleshaft, probably the 484 lift one in your case. The 509 is a bit much for non-hot rod drivers.

Here's what the 484 sounds like in a mild 440 with headers and big-arsed duals:

 

[69hemibeep]

I have bought the 6401 how are Edelbrock RPM heads springs, do I need to replace them?

Im' running the E-Street heads with the 6401 cam in a 440 and love it. Not sure if the springs are the same.