All u 80's guys that know cams????
An MP509 cam in a fairly stock 318 would sound mean at idle, but without some really steep gears in the rear and a hi-stall converter, it would be a real dog below about 3200 RPM. Even the MP484 in a 318, unless you had some very high compression and the previously mentioned gears and converter, would be very sluggish on the bottom end. Most of these style cams have a tendency to bleed off compression so you need lots to start with.
Jim, don't feel too bad - I was born in the 40's, but just barely! :)