Ok, first 383 i've built and I just did some research and come to find out I should have brought the damn cam to the machine shop so they could clear the rods for the cam lobes before they balanced it, I assumed they knew what they were doing and would ask for it, infact I remember asking if they needed the cam and they replied no . Anyways, Im pretty sure I need to buy a small circle cam as my #2 and #7 rods are hitting the cam lobes with the timing chain on. Its not stuck on the oil drive gear and the cam is fully seated inside the engine. My only option is to get a small circle base cam if im correct and im curious to know what size I need? Will I need new cam bearings? Im extremely pist because my weekend is wasted due to this discovery =/. Can someone give me a hand? Thanks.

 

BTW their eagle 5.7" SIR I-beams.

 

your machine shop made a bad mistake,either they assumed you were using the 400 rod(5.565?????)not sure of the smaller size rod!however the problem you are facing is not hard to remedy,crane cams have some good reduced base circle cams available,i am sure comp has them as well call their tech line early monday,they will help you,i would DEFINATELY try to get some reinbursement from your machine shop..sorry to hear your dilemma all will be ok though!!!!!!!!!

 

So do I need new cam bearings? Its not such a big deal if not what pisses me off the most is now I have more down time. I have to sell this cam off and buy another one and wait for it to come in. I was gonna drop the motor in wednesday but guess that ain't happening .

 

you dont need new cam bearings. the small base circle refers to the heel of the cam not the bearing journal diameter.

 

It would probably be cheaper (and less of a pain in the ***) to sell the camshaft you have and buy the small base circle camshaft. Otherwise you are looking at paying to have your rotating assembly rebalanced, the connecting rods to be clearanced, etc, etc.

Don't beat yourself up too bad, these things happen .

 

Alright, already sold the camshaft to a buddy who has been looking for a 306. Now i've been looking at the 236 / 242 .520 .540 on a 110 LSA from comps and wondering if this is a good cam?

Now the most important part, how much of a "smaller base circle" do I need to go when i order my cam?

 

i used eagle esp h beam rods no clearance issuses at all

 

Thats all fine and dandy, but im not.

 

What exactly is done in the process of clearancing?

I plan on using Manley 4340 rods... on a 383 setup... should I have any issues with my 236/240 cam?

 

Sigh, so anyone know what base circle size to use .850? .900?

 

.900 should get you there. I assume this is a hydraulic cam? If its mechanical you really need to stay on top of the valve lash with a small base circle cam. They are more aggessive as they have less time to accellerate the valve. This will be nothing new to Comp. Call them and have them give you a grind number. Just make sure you tell your dealer specifically that it must be a small base circle. The rod grinding is not a big deal either.

 

Yes, hydraulic roller. Will my geometry be effected? Will I need longer/shorter pushrods?

 

yes, if you go with a small base cam you will need to make up the difference with longer pushrods

 

uh, shouldnt the shop eat the cost of pulling it apart gringing the rods, and re-assembly? Its not that big of a deal, you arent taking off much off the shoulders any way, wont need much to be dont to get it back in balance.

P