Old Crane and Isky Cam specs help???

I'm trying to find the specs for three small
block Chevy cams that I ran "back in the
day" circa 1972-75;

The first cam was a solid lifter Crane 314
Fireball. than I ran in my first 283

The other two cams were Isky roller cams - a
505T and an Isky 550. that I ran on the street
in a couple of different cross-rammed 350s.
If it helps in identifying them, both of these
cams were reverse ground and used an Isky
;two-gear' gear drive set-up. Also I'm not sure,
but I think that the 550 roller might have had
the words "Le Gerra" after the number '550'.
Were there both "Isky 550s' and "550 Le
Gerras" made - or are these both the same
cam?

Also wondering who if anyone is still running
any of these three cams and if so, what are
you running them in and how do you like
them?

Mart3406
=============================

 

Ok how about a little more info, my crystal ball is out for repairs.

 

That is beyond humorous. Thank you!!!!

 

Are you talking about factory perf cams?

 

---------------------
Sorry. I accidentally hit "send" before the
post was complete. It took me another
two minutes to finish it. If you re-read it
Ive added the relevant information.

Mart3406
==================================

 

I ran the Isky 550 Legerra back in '65 through '67 in a 311 inch SBC with an Edelbrock cross ram. It had a killer top end (up to 9000 rpm) and pulled like a big block! As I recall it was .550 lift and 330 degree duration. This was before the "at.050 lift" qualification. I THINK lash was .020, but don't quote me. I took it to the A & W for a burger and O rings, and it was surprisingly docile. Damn that was a hoot! Old Frank

 

505t intake 37-73 exhaust 73-37 .531 lift valve lash .030 dur 290

 

my isky book shows 550 super as a flat tappet cam 57-93 93-57 .540 .030 330
and a flat tappet cam 505t 37-73 73-37 .505 .030 290
the above specs are for the roller

 

----------------------
I'm puzzled that your book shows the 550
as a flat tappet cam. Both the 505T and 550
Isky cams I had were definitely roller cams.
I ran both of those back around 1973 to
about '75, but they were both used when I
got them, so I have no idea what year Isky
actually made them. I recall that the 505
roller was so old though, that it had the oiling
notch in the back journal for use in the pre-58
265 and 283 blocks! The 550 was newer at
least, because it didn't have the 265-style
oiling notch.

Mart3406
====================

 

My Isky book is a 1980.

 

The Crane FireBall 314 is a mechanical (solid) lifter camshaft. The recommended valve lash is .018" on both intake and exhaust, at operating temperature. The advertised duration is 314 degrees on intake and exhaust. Lobe separation is 115 degrees. Cam lobe lift is .293", and gross valve lift is .440" with the standard 1.5:1 ratio rocker arms. The duration is 247 degrees on intake and exhaust. Cam timing at .050" cam lift is: intake opens 13 degrees BTDC, intake closes 54 degrees ABDC, exhaust opens 63 degrees BBDC, exhaust closes 4 degrees ATDC. The basic power range is 3400-7000 RPM. Regards, Chase

 

505t intake 37-73 exhaust 73-37 .531 lift valve lash .030 dur 290

What do the numbers 37-73 and 73-37 refer to?

 

They are the opening and closing points of the intake and exhaust lobes, as in "opens at 37 degrees before TDC and closes at 73 degrees after TDC".

 

Hey! Who you calling old? My Crane Fireball 314 has lived happily in
various sbc since 1975. Its been thru a few sets of lifters,timing chains,
and valve springs but continues to soldier on in a 327 that sounds badass
and will buzz up to 7,000+ with nothing more than some Z28 valve springs.
Thanks for the specs Chase,I couldn't get to my 73 catalog...

 

It ain't old till it won't work no more. My Isky 505 (5 Cycle) roller cam was ground in 1960 by Isky and still runs great. Been through several sets of lifters, springs, etc,
but the cam still looks like new and runs great. Old is like dirt,,,,,,,been around a long time, but still works the same.

 

Sorry to see no recent activity on this thread. I have one going on the Z/28 140 cam and have got lots of responses. This is of interest to me as well. Hope to get it started again! Any more input from thosse who used these cams back in the day???

 

Did some digging for a pal so I will add to this thread. He has 2 384-409 cams. He needs to know the specs. I can post pictures later but this is what is stamped on the ends. I will type it as it is layed out on the end of the cam.

207C
13 110
Z45
241


The second one.

W0ID
19 110
Z45
241

Any ideas? Thanks. Trent

 

The only thing needed to tell a roller cam from a flat tappet cam is a good straight edge or the bottom of a good flat tappet lifter. The lobes of a flat tappet cam are ground on a slight angle, this serves 2 purposes. Throughout the years and by manufacturer this angle could be anywhere from 5-15 % if I remember correctly. First this is to aid in the rotation of the lifter with the aid of the heel of the lifter ground on a slight convex, and most importantly this preloads the cam to keep it from moving laterally. This is the reason when switching to a roller cam, you need a way to prevent the cam from moving laterally or walking. TR

 

I have a Crane cam : SS 332 BNC What do I have ? I think it is a 1987 or so vintage, looking for old info Thanks

 

The SS-332-B NC is a Chevrolet 396-454 V8 mechanical lifter camshaft. Recommended valve lash is .024" intake, .026" exhaust at operating temperature. Advertised duration is 332 intake at .0135" cam lift, and 332 exhaust at .016" cam lift. Lobe lift is .338" intake, .362" exhaust. This results in gross valve lifts of .575" intake, .615" exhaust with the standard 1.7:1 ratio rocker arms. Duration at .050" cam lift is 262 intake, 274 exhaust. Cam timing at .050" is: intake opens 27 degrees BTDC, intake closes 55 degrees ABDC, exhaust opens 73 degrees BBDC, exhaust closes 21 degrees ATDC. Lobe separation is 110 degrees. Basic RPM range is 4200-7000. This was a popular camshaft in the 1970's for radical street, and mild drag racing. Idle quality is fairly rough. Regards, Chase

 

Ok guys I'll ask one from you all now if I may.
I have this cam from a LOOOONG time ago still hanging around. I forgot all I ever knew about it. It was in a blown up 396. Broke lifters in two and springs. Not my engine then. Drag car.
Any way I need to know what it is? Cam specs pleeze. And some info WHAT"Sit good for????
It is an Isky
4P-08
X77N
Z-35
Anyone with a book out there who could fill me in a little.
Got several BBC's sittin around.

 

1969 Isky Catalog has three series for 348-409

Hydraulic Series
Part No. 241-CY Grind 282 HYD
241-CY Grind 302 HYD
HI REV Series
Part No. 241-C Grind X-158
241-C Grind X-258
ROLLER Series
Part No. 241-RR Grind 505-C 62

 

Must be later than 1969. Catalog only shows 6 different grinds for 396-427. BBC was only out for four years at that point.

 

There are Isky 505 flat tappet cams, and 505 rollers. Two different cams.

 

Does anyone know how an Isky 550 Super Le Gerra compares to an Isky 550 Magnum?

 

I THINK the Magnum was [email protected] instead of 330?? Both are HUGE, like over 280@050. Does anyone have a vintage 505T or 570T roller for a small block chevy they want to sell for a reasonable price? I don't want a 505C, too big.

 

I had that same cam in my LS6 454 that was punched .30 over with 13 to 1 TRW pistons. I dropped it into my 1969 GTO, as Pontiacs had weak bottom halves. It idled around 1500 rpm.

 

I wish that I had all of those specs back in 1978. Thanks.

 

Hello. I am trying to identify an old Crane Cam name or grind from a 1970 build I'd like to replicate.
First thing, all I can remember about the cam, when we talked about it in the shop or when asked what I had, all I remember is calling it a "Crane 330" cam or in even less technical terms, a 3/4 race cam.
I can supply additional specs on the engine parts used. It started out as a 300hp Chevy in a 1964 SS Impala two-door.
If anyone is willing to help, I appreciate it.
Thank you.

 

This is from a 1976 catalog