L78 Cam Specs.
 

Hi Guys,

I'm in the midst of building an engine for my 65 BB and want to retain close to the original specs. for the cam, pistons, etc.
I understand that I may have to give up a bit to make it streetable.

The builder I'm using is trying to match up a cam which will work well but indicated he isn't having much luck finding the specifications for a L78 cam. Does anyone know where I can find this information?


TIA,
Brett

I found this in Chevy Power:

242 intake and exhaust duration at 0.050 tappet lift
0.496 intake valve lift, 0.492 exhaust valve lift (lash .024I/.028E)
114 lobe separation angle

According to 'Bill Thomas 396 performance handbook the specs are the same as a L-72, right down to lift, duration, and overlap.....I have both the L-78 and L-72 and they run and sound the same...

However a neutered L-78 is no longer a L-78 and it wont make any difference what a real one is........

Brett,

We built a L78 four years ago with .030" over, 10.75 CR pistons and a Crane restoration solid lifter camshaft. I can look up the numbers when I get home if you want them.

The build included: balanced rotating assembly, port matched intake and exhaust manifolds, cc'd the heads to 109.

This engine has stock but not original L78 block, heads, intake manifold and carburator, it made 450hp on the dyno with headers.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-.../DSCF2831a.JPG

Mark,

The information would be great, I'm interested in what you used vs. what he has in mind.


Thx.,
Brett

I have these notes regarding a L78 camshaft:

Competition Cam # 11-106-3
Lunati #20202

I saved the note for some reason, so you may want to look-up the part numbers above and see if they match the other criteria.