NOS stock 340 cam from wholesaler worth the risk?

-

dbphemi

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2006
Messages
761
Reaction score
160
Location
Montgomery,IL
I found resale shop online that specializes in nos car parts that has this 40 year old sealed power replacement 340 cam . I looked up part numbers and verified that it’s the correct cam. the only thing i’m concerned about is condition. I looks like there might be a small amount of rust on the rear journal. What y’all think about this cam?

A29A704B-02F0-41A3-BDA0-F297D5E6BADF.jpeg
 
What's the number? It is a replacement and not a exact copy of the original. It should be close. The bearing surfaces can be polished. The lobes need to be in good shape though.
 
Buying a 25+ year old cam would be less likely to wipe lobes than today's crapanium stuff. Sealed Power was also a top quality brand name. I would buy it.
 
I found that cam NEW still in a couple places, so it might be just old enough to get the box yellow.
 
What did you pay for it?

Shouldn't be much more that a new one. I think the NOS lifters with it, would be a big plus to avoiding cam going flat.
 
putting back together original engine in my 69 340 4speed swinger .I’m trying to make it all stock.

Careful. Are you assuming you're getting cam exactly like the one year only '68 4-speed cam?
 
I guess for $123 shipped it's ok. It sounds like a generic 68-74 340-360 replacement cam. Does he have some old stock lifters???

Friend wiped out two identical Comp XE268 Cam and lifter from Summit within weeks on his run stand.

Then I sold him an old MP Cam and Lifter set I've had since 1999 or so. No issues at all on run stand. Motor has been running fine for 2 years now.

upload_2022-8-5_17-2-25.png
 
Last edited:
Careful. Are you assuming you're getting cam exactly like the one year only '68 4-speed cam?
69 4 speed came with same cam as auto #2899206 . this is a replacement for that cam. i dunno how close to factory it will be. If i can find a factory nos cam i’ll buy one of those too lol.
 
I guess for $123 shipped it's ok. It sounds like a generic 68-74 340-360 replacement cam. Does he has some old stock lifters???

Friend wiped out two identical Comp XE268 Cam and lifter from Summit within weeks on his run stand.

Then I sold him an old MP Cam and Lifter set I've had since 1999 or so. No issues at all on run stand. Motor has been running fine for 2 years now.

View attachment 1715966050
i have a set of nos lifters
 
i have a set of nos lifters

Nice.

The old Mopar Performance Cam P4452782 in a old box with a before 2005 or so would be a good bet too. It had same specs as stock 268-276-44 with .429/.444" lift and 114 centerline.
 
I found that cam NEW still in a couple places, so it might be just old enough to get the box yellow.
Not a bad cam and a older one might be better quality but they do make new ones that are very similar.
 
Nice.

The old Mopar Performance Cam P4452782 in a old box with a before 2005 or so would be a good bet too. It had same specs as stock 268-276-44 with .429/.444" lift and 114 centerline.
yeah, i wish they were easier to find. when i bought my swinger in the 90’s you could just go down to the local dodge dealer and buy a cam and lifters and not worry about tearing up your engine.
 
But it. Lube it well. Follow a good start up break-in procedure and you’ll be fine. And have a big ole smile. Lots of smart experienced guys on this site to help if needed. To many over think things. You know what your plan is. Stick to it….
 
But it. Lube it well. Follow a good start up break-in procedure and you’ll be fine. And have a big ole smile. Lots of smart experienced guys on this site to help if needed. To many over think things. You know what your plan is. Stick to it….
I built 3 or 4 engines back in the day and had no issues with camshafts. Seems like a lot of people are having problems with the quality of parts lately.
 
Nice.

The old Mopar Performance Cam P4452782 in a old box with a before 2005 or so would be a good bet too. It had same specs as stock 268-276-44 with .429/.444" lift and 114 centerline.
That was a goodun. I always wished they made the 4 speed cam.
 
If I were going to install a flat tappet cam, I would make absolutely sure the lifter bores are clean and that the new lifters fit the bores freely and can turn freely. Follow the cam manufacturer's directions for lubricating the new cam with break-in lube. For hydraulic lifters you HAVE to check that the lifter preload is correct. You cannot assume that a stock replacement cam will have the correct preload with the stock pushrods, because it could be ground on a different base circle which would affect lifter preload. DO NOT soak the new lifters in oil, DO NOT pump the new lifters up outside of the engine installation. The lifters will fill just fine on initial startup. Another thing to watch for is lifter and pushrod spin. I have old valve covers which I temporarily install for initial startup, which I have modified with holes so I can visually verify that the pushrods are spinning. If the lifters don't spin the lifter/cam lobe will wear prematurely, and you'll send a bunch of metal thruout the engine, and you'll be tearing back into that engine.
 
-
Back
Top