The Jalopy Journal

flathead31coupe · 01-26-2008, 09:25 PM

i remember back in the 80s calling and ordering one for my s/b ford that worked great...

brandon · 01-26-2008, 09:52 PM

i ordered a small solid roller for a sbc back in the early 90's....even talked to chet

it worked nicely in my little flat top 383 .....till a rod bolt decided to part ways with a rod......

it nicked a lobe pretty good....and pretty much ended the cams future.... brandon

john56h · 01-27-2008, 01:21 AM

Yes, I've had at least one of his cams.

usedall9 · 01-27-2008, 01:22 AM

You can't go wrong. Especially for the price and service.

GMC BUBBA · 01-27-2008, 07:28 AM

I Have Used A Couple And They Ran Really Good.

hotrod1940 · 01-28-2008, 03:58 PM

I ran a Chet Herbert roller tappet cam in my Cadillac powered Henry J in the late fifties and early sixties. Worked for me.

buick320a · 01-28-2008, 07:59 PM

I've got one in my Olds Dragster, it's work OK, for the last 48 years !

Topless Ford · 01-28-2008, 08:50 PM

Balanced and blue printed 12:5:1 sbc with M/T aluminum rods and a 9500 shift point. It opened and closed perfectly.!!!

tmacracin · 01-28-2008, 11:19 PM

I had Chet Herbert grind me a cam for my last blown alcohol SBC. Donnie from Chet's shop knows his stuff! He has been grinding cams from 40+ years

Scotch · 01-29-2008, 09:29 AM

I had an SR1 (solid roller, .505 or so lift, 300 or so duration) in a SBC 350 for a few years. It ran really well and pulled hard in a '65 A-body. It busted a rod but the cam worked great. Definitely worth looking into for the personal service at Herberts, especially if you're in SoCal and can stop by there.

~Scotch~

**48fordnut** · 01-29-2008, 09:51 AM

first ran into Chet in the 50s when I used his roller in a dragster. then in the 70s when I was building engs. many a flat tappet cam of his in the southeast, because I liked them. he was the one that told me in the 80s there were only 3 companies making lifters. Great man.

Bass · 01-29-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmacracin

Donnie from Chet's shop knows his stuff! He has been grinding cams from 40+ years

Yes, Donnie is Don Johansen, son of the Howard Cams founder, Howard Johansen.

I had the pleasure of meeting him this weekend while I was out for the GNRS. I bought a Herbert billet solid roller cam from him for my 392 Chrysler....it's a beautiful piece. I'm sure that he has the means to grind pretty much any cam from looking at their equipment.

He told me that he started in the business at 6 years old! He's super knowledgable and just a genuinely nice guy.

Speedi D · 09-05-2009, 11:24 PM

Used a Herbert roller in an Olds engine in a '52 Ford "whiskey car" in W.Va. in the mid1950's. Was a good engine - good power and very reliable. Would run really hard for long periods and still maintain power.

lippy · 09-05-2009, 11:28 PM

Had one re-ground for a 312 ford. $35.00.

jamesgr81 · 09-05-2009, 11:42 PM

In the 70's had some Herbert stuff and it was just fine.

But in the last few years had a hydraulic Chet Herbert cam in my El Camino. Cam went flat and mushroomed lifter ruined block. Herbert would not honor warranty.

Also had roller cam in drag racing engine. The rollers wore grooves into cam lobes. Herbert himself would not warranty but one of the guys who worked there took care of me anyway.

I don't think they make anything anymore. The roller lifters were made somewhere in the midwest. Lifters are now made in China.

Cams are junk nowdays..don't use 'em.

retromotors · 09-05-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buick320a

I've got one in my Olds Dragster, it's work OK, for the last 48 years !

That's all well and good, but how's it gonna hold up in the long run!

RAY With · 09-06-2009, 09:59 AM

I have used Chets cams for many years and all rollers for the BB Ford.I imagine I have at least 20 different profiles over the last several years and they all made good HP. I didnt like the springs he had but the cams were as good as most and better that a lot of cam grinders. One great point was Chet was always available and had the knowledge to have the answer as soon as you ask the question..

OoltewahSpeedShop · 09-06-2009, 10:04 AM

I've used a couple different SBC and BBC roller cams and lifters from Chet Herbert. They all ran very good with no problems. We even sent one back and had it re-ground and it was better.

Kevin
Ooltewah Speed Shop

gas pumper · 09-06-2009, 10:30 AM

Speaking of Don Johansen, I met him at the Red Garter in West Wendover this year during Speedweek. What a great guy. His customers are like a who's who of racing and hot rodding.

He's still making cams and will make anything for any engine, all his cams are made one at a time. And the price is reasonable for what he's doing.

Here's a picture of his business card, it's aluminum and laser engraved!
If you can't see the small print, the phone # is: 909-815-9185.

Frank

Screamin' Metal · 09-06-2009, 12:28 PM

Good Cam,.......Good Cam!

01-26-2008, 09:25 PM	#1
flathead31coupe Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: indpls, in Posts: 1,576	how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? i remember back in the 80s calling and ordering one for my s/b ford that worked great... __________________ "Second place is just the first-place loser." (Dale Earnhardt)

01-26-2008, 09:52 PM	#2
brandon Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: southern end of fatwoody Posts: 5,826	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? i ordered a small solid roller for a sbc back in the early 90's....even talked to chet it worked nicely in my little flat top 383 .....till a rod bolt decided to part ways with a rod...... it nicked a lobe pretty good....and pretty much ended the cams future.... brandon __________________ Even when they say theyll help...theyll always find a way to tell ya no.www.pinheadlounge.com/bdi

01-27-2008, 01:21 AM	#3
john56h Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Posts: 1,772	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? Yes, I've had at least one of his cams.

01-27-2008, 01:22 AM	#4
usedall9 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Pedro, Ca Posts: 431	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? You can't go wrong. Especially for the price and service. __________________ Looking For:Good or rebuildable Steering column/box for 61' F100, Galaxie, Thunderbird or Mustang bucket seats. 5 on 5 1/2, x 4-5" wide wheels. Other cool shit!!! [Quote] 6duececaddy-And if that doesnt work, hide in the bushes at his work. Wait till he comes out, then kick him in the balls and run away in a zig-zag motion so he wont recognize you.

01-27-2008, 07:28 AM	#5
GMC BUBBA Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speedway, IN Posts: 2,743	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? I Have Used A Couple And They Ran Really Good. __________________ Bubba's Hot Rod Shop - Linder Technical Services [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Vintage ignition systems are our specialty. If it makes spark, we can do it. 888-809-3835 TOLL FREE

01-28-2008, 03:58 PM	#6
hotrod1940 Old School HAMBer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gainesville, GA Posts: 3,931	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? I ran a Chet Herbert roller tappet cam in my Cadillac powered Henry J in the late fifties and early sixties. Worked for me.

01-28-2008, 07:59 PM	#7
buick320a Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 396	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? I've got one in my Olds Dragster, it's work OK, *for the last 48 years !* Attached Thumbnails

01-28-2008, 08:50 PM	#8
Topless Ford Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Niceville Florida Posts: 554	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? Balanced and blue printed 12:5:1 sbc with M/T aluminum rods and a 9500 shift point. It opened and closed perfectly.!!! __________________ Wanted: 1963 Galaxie Trunklid

01-28-2008, 11:19 PM	#9
tmacracin Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 814	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? I had Chet Herbert grind me a cam for my last blown alcohol SBC. Donnie from Chet's shop knows his stuff! He has been grinding cams from 40+ years Last edited by tmacracin; 01-29-2008 at 12:29 AM.

01-29-2008, 09:29 AM	#10
Scotch Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Belle Plaine, MN Posts: 1,486	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? I had an SR1 (solid roller, .505 or so lift, 300 or so duration) in a SBC 350 for a few years. It ran really well and pulled hard in a '65 A-body. It busted a rod but the cam worked great. Definitely worth looking into for the personal service at Herberts, especially if you're in SoCal and can stop by there. ~Scotch~ __________________ Horsepower Junkie My stuff: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1192966...7600938044102/

01-29-2008, 09:51 AM	#11
48fordnut Alliance Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: mid ga Posts: 2,338	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? first ran into Chet in the 50s when I used his roller in a dragster. then in the 70s when I was building engs. many a flat tappet cam of his in the southeast, because I liked them. he was the one that told me in the 80s there were only 3 companies making lifters. Great man. __________________ Will Rogers'' Common sense is not as common as you think Southern Slingshots

09-05-2009, 11:24 PM	#13
Speedi D FNG Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Calif Posts: 17	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? Used a Herbert roller in an Olds engine in a '52 Ford "whiskey car" in W.Va. in the mid1950's. Was a good engine - good power and very reliable. Would run really hard for long periods and still maintain power. Last edited by Speedi D; 09-05-2009 at 11:37 PM.

09-05-2009, 11:28 PM	#14
lippy Old School HAMBer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ks Posts: 2,997	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? Had one re-ground for a 312 ford. $35.00.

09-05-2009, 11:42 PM	#15
jamesgr81 Grenade Inspector Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Eagle Rock, CA Posts: 187	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? In the 70's had some Herbert stuff and it was just fine. But in the last few years had a hydraulic Chet Herbert cam in my El Camino. Cam went flat and mushroomed lifter ruined block. Herbert would not honor warranty. Also had roller cam in drag racing engine. The rollers wore grooves into cam lobes. Herbert himself would not warranty but one of the guys who worked there took care of me anyway. I don't think they make anything anymore. The roller lifters were made somewhere in the midwest. Lifters are now made in China. Cams are junk nowdays..don't use 'em.

09-06-2009, 09:59 AM	#17
RAY With Old School HAMBer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Montgomery ,Texas Posts: 3,123	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? I have used Chets cams for many years and all rollers for the BB Ford.I imagine I have at least 20 different profiles over the last several years and they all made good HP. I didnt like the springs he had but the cams were as good as most and better that a lot of cam grinders. One great point was Chet was always available and had the knowledge to have the answer as soon as you ask the question.. __________________ http://www.hotrodchat.com/gallery/ 29,660 +pictures and 160 albums and growing-Many HAMB FRIENDLY and some not. Many subjects and many old drag pictures from the 50-60's

09-06-2009, 10:04 AM	#18
OoltewahSpeedShop Alliance Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ooltewah, Tn. Posts: 3,058	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? I've used a couple different SBC and BBC roller cams and lifters from Chet Herbert. They all ran very good with no problems. We even sent one back and had it re-ground and it was better. Kevin Ooltewah Speed Shop __________________ *Don't worry, Worryin's for Pussy's*

09-06-2009, 10:30 AM	#19
gas pumper Old School HAMBer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boonton, NJ Posts: 2,698	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? Speaking of Don Johansen, I met him at the Red Garter in West Wendover this year during Speedweek. What a great guy. His customers are like a who's who of racing and hot rodding. He's still making cams and will make anything for any engine, all his cams are made one at a time. And the price is reasonable for what he's doing. Here's a picture of his business card, it's aluminum and laser engraved! If you can't see the small print, the phone # is: 909-815-9185. Frank Attached Thumbnails

09-06-2009, 12:28 PM	#20
Screamin' Metal Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 505	Re: how many have used a Chet Herbert cam? Good Cam,.......Good Cam!

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