L78 cam kit

[JRSully]

I am sure this has been kicked around before, but trying to get a straight answer. Who makes the best L78 replacement cam and lifters for a 69-70 L78 ?, Doing a rebuild and need to replace the orig "043". Thanks for the help in advance SULLY

[69Chevelle L78Deluxe300]

I had a Crane Cam Blueprint Series muscle car cam installed in my 1969 L78 when it was rebuilt, and it works great. It is supposed to be exactly the same grind as the original. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Chevy454]

Crane, hands down. They make all the cams for GM, and they work good, and are dead on correct. CLICK HERE (http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/gmgoodwrenchjsp/perfparts/partsearch.jsp?partsearchinput=12364057&submit.x=2 1&submit.y=5) for details.

Go to the parts department at your local GM dealer and order it, though, as it will be cheaper and easier. Last time I checked the dealer's cost was right at $133, so don't let 'em rape you...

That thing is ground 6 degrees advanced, as it was from the factory, so you *might* want to look into retarding it, depending of course on the rest of the engine specs...

[JRSully]

Thanks Guys, I am rebuilding the L78 factory orig, 11;1 all other stock components in place except for some original Motion valve covers and headers, I'll check with the local Chev dealer. Thanks again

[rpoz11]

I was under the thought that the Wolverine Group was originally grinding the GM cams in the beginning, well, at least in our era....?? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[1969L78Nova]

The previous owner of my L78 had the cam replaced at a GM dealer in 1999. The work order states they used GM p/n 3904362. The description is "Cams-454 0.519 lift. It is apparently identical to the stock L78 cam. The price then was $185.77.
Martin

[Chevy454]

Hmmm...according to GMPP the 362 cam (http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/gmgoodwrenchjsp/perfparts/partlist.jsp?cat=9348&section=ep#3904362) has less lift than the original LS6/L72/L78 cam. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[1969L78Nova]

HMMMM!!!!! You are are right Chevy 454. Specs on the original cam indicates .518 lift. Looks like the description on the work order I have could be wrong. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Keith Tedford]

Chevy's lift figures included the lash. .492 + .028 = .520. .496 + .024 = .520. It made the numbers sound better as did the 316 302 duration. 242 told the real story. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[Chevy454]

DOH! That makes perfect sense, Keith!!

So, what's the difference between the 3904362 (http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/gmgoodwrenchjsp/perfparts/partlist.jsp?cat=9348&section=ep#3904362) and the
12364057 (http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/gmgoodwrenchjsp/perfparts/partlist.jsp?cat=9349&section=ep#12364057) cam?

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[hvychev]

There you are Keith!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[JoeG]

[ QUOTE ]
DOH! That makes perfect sense, Keith!!

So, what's the difference between the 3904362 (http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/gmgoodwrenchjsp/perfparts/partlist.jsp?cat=9348&section=ep#3904362) and the
12364057 (http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/gmgoodwrenchjsp/perfparts/partlist.jsp?cat=9349&section=ep#12364057) cam?

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a good question---I never thought there was a difference ,but I did some checking and GM PERFORMANCE PARTS book#2 also lists the L88 CAM(using this as a reference) without valve lash added--ex.I.536(LIFT)(GM listed)+.024(VALVE LASH)=.580 LIFT=(Cranes blurprinted cam for L88)----.Some camaro sites list 1967/68 with 3904362 and 1969 on 3863143 this I can't verify yet --Trying to find my old 68 parts book--I'm sure someone else on this site would have this info--Well,--unless there is some slight difference in cam profile--I guess it was Cloned ----Keith???---- Since cam 3863743 is blueprinted,-- is cam 3904362 still available listed as a LS6 CAM?---AND WHY doesn't Racquel Welsh answer my letters-----Hmmmmmmm-maybe I should use a different colored crayon--- http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[JoeG]

I had some time to kill ,so I called 1/2 dozen Chevy dealers NY/NC--GM cam # 3904362 was a replacement forGM cam # 3863143 over 10 years ago--both numbers discontinued.------Crane started offering a blueprinted replacement for the discontinued 143/362-----This is what I've been told by several GM parts depts.???----Time to make the doughnuts http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[JoeG]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
DOH! That makes perfect sense, Keith!!

So, what's the difference between the 3904362 (http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/gmgoodwrenchjsp/perfparts/partlist.jsp?cat=9348&section=ep#3904362) and the
12364057 (http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/gmgoodwrenchjsp/perfparts/partlist.jsp?cat=9349&section=ep#12364057) cam?

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a good question---I never thought there was a difference ,but I did some checking and GM PERFORMANCE PARTS book#2 also lists the L88 CAM(using this as a reference) without valve lash added--ex.I.536(LIFT)(GM listed)+.024(VALVE LASH)=.580 LIFT=(Cranes blurprinted cam for L88)-------- http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gifAH HUMMMMM--536+24=560--I really shouldn't make posts after a late night out---Now --Where did I park my car??----- http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Chevy454]

Good info, Joe! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif Now, send me some pics/info on that 'Velle!