For those of you with "real world" experience with the 140 cam, I have a few questions. I have done a search and opinions are all over the place regarding the street manners of this cam. I am thinking about putting this cam in a spare 302 that I may build and would like to know how much vacuum this cam generates at idle, will it operate the power brakes, and if the stock carb will work with it. The motor will be built with the TRW 12.5:1 pistons, an old set of 492 angle plug heads, 472 intake, and 1 3/4" Hooker Super Comp. headers with full exhaust system. Good fuel is not a problem as I can get Sunoco 110 easily and I won't be driving the car that much anyway. My car is a 1969 Z/28 and I'm tired of worrying about the original motor in it so I would like to build this motor and have some fun with the car. It has the 3.73 rear and an M20 transmission so I think I may be able to deal with the lack of low end torque. Any advise you can give is greatly appreciated.
John

When I had one installed in a DZ302 in an '64 Impala, M21 & 3.36 Posi, no accessories other than radio & heater, it was wicked sounding, drew low vacuum, around 6-8 inches, idled around 1000 rpm and once wound up, blew away a '67 Mustang w/390 4-spd. But then the Mustang driver wasn't very coordinated either.

Ask 37 different people and get 37 opinions. I'd say go for it, life's too short to wonder about it.

Everett's right you'll get 37 different answers for sure. My last experience with the 140 was a SJ 331 12.5:1 TRW pistons, ported 461 heads, Yunick crossram and 1 3/4 Hedman headers with no exhaust. I had the idle set at 1000-1200 and it was still very rough even up there. The motor pulled 7 inches of vacum at this rpm. It does go up quickly off idle though. I can't answer as to how well it'll work with power accessories as all my first gens (exept the Z cars which had PB and the 69 had PS as well) are without AC, PS or PB. I would think with the wide ratio first gear you'd be okay with the 3.73 as long as you run a short tire, 26 or 27 inches. Personally I'd run mid 4 series gears with this cam, but only you know how you intend to use the car and where you'll drive it, so select what'll work for you.

I can't tell you anything about specs. But my 71 Z28 had a 70 LT1 motor witha 140 cam, power steering and disc brakes and I had no problems at all. In fact that was the best performing car I have ever owned. It smoked any car I raced. Burried the 8 K tac on every shift, all day long. If I was to build another engine that would the one I would build. Stock LT1 intake, 780 Holley, 2.02 heads. windage tray, deep grove pulleys, forged crank, pink rods, screw in studs, push rod guide plates. All stock and killer quick. Go for it! As far as neck snapping performance goes I have yet to anything that comes close!!!

Thanks for the info. I'm concerned that this combo will want to load up at idle and be a pain to drive compared to the 30/30 cam. Have any of you tried the light weight flywheel that GM offers?

John

JOhn.. if you like, email me... in the last calender year... i've had the 30-30, LT1, and 140 offroad cam in my 69Z and variations have included headers, and exhaust manifolds, chambered exhaust vs transverse muffler system... and i've even tried it with (and currently run a Fidanza Lightweight Wheel)

akaleniecki@gmail.com


i've posted in great detail about my findings....

I had a 34k original mile X77 Z/28 with over the counter headers and 140 cam and no issues that I can remember with vacuum/brakes ect. I sold that car approx. ten years ago to someone in Texas.

i have that identical engine sitting in a crate in my shop. removed it to install the original engine in my 68z. this engine ran better than the stock one i have now, no problems. ran high 12s with no brake or idle problems.

Thanks again for all of the advise. This may be a fun motor once it's done.

John

John for what it's worth, I was using 1.6 aftermarket rockers with my 140 in the 331 I mentioned above.