All Small Six Cam for early block?

[ShaneB]

Hey folks... I am pretty new to these motors and just trying to learn and pull a plan together. The motor I have is a newly rebuilt 170 4 bearing motor.

Question is... does anyone make a cam for those? I see the Clay Smith cams say 144-170-200-250... but my understanding is that the cam is NOT the same in the early block and the later block. Is that correct?

Yes..... I have the book.... no... there is not much information at all about the early motors in it.

 

[aussie7mains]

Hey folks... I am pretty new to these motors and just trying to learn and pull a plan together. The motor I have is a newly rebuilt 170 4 bearing motor.

Question is... does anyone make a cam for those? I see the Clay Smith cams say 144-170-200-250... but my understanding is that the cam is NOT the same in the early block and the later block. Is that correct?

Yes..... I have the book.... no... there is not much information at all about the early motors in it.

From my recollection the only difference was in the cutouts to clear the con rods. The aftermarket cams seem to be all made on the same casting, which is setup for 250ci engines. The 250, having the longest stroke has the largest cutouts, so it should be OK in any of the smaller engines. I would however give carefull consideration on your cam choice, as the 170 doesnt have a lot of toque, you wouldnt want to loose too much going to a long duration cam profile, especially when constrained by the "log head'. And, this is especaily true if you have a slushie!

 

[awasson]

Also, make sure the 170 has the oil passages for hydraulic lifters. If not, you'll definitely need to go with solid lifters. If it was running fine with hydraulics, you can just ignore this.

 

[ShaneB]

Also, make sure the 170 has the oil passages for hydraulic lifters. If not, you'll definitely need to go with solid lifters. If it was running fine with hydraulics, you can just ignore this.

Thanks! I appreciate that. It’s a little cobbled together, but it’s a C1 block so I assume it’s solid lifter. Haven’t checked it yet. For sure adjustable rockers. But when I pull the head I’ll fish one out and check!

As for cam selection…. That’s yet to come. I am going to go to 2bbl EFI pretty quick with an adapter. And then probably modify a large log head to direct mount.

In the end what I’d really like is to put a Paxton SN60 setup on it blown through the 2bbl sniper.

Disclaimer…. No…. It won’t be all that fast. Ha! But it’ll sound awesome. ha! And if I wear the 170 out or break it… I’ll build a 200 or a 250 instead.