So i just tore down my desoto 330 hemi to freshen up for my model a build, but the cam has 2 completely flat lobes, the rest are worn pretty good. What kind of options do i have? Cant seem to find new. Tried calling contreras cams in cali but no luck. Trying to find out whats the big differance in a chrysler or dodge hemi cam from the same era. Any hemi experts wanna help me out, from what i have found the og cams are pretty prone to doing this. Thanks in advance, Mike
At this point id take either, but would prefer a performance cam, but from what i have found is regrind is about my only option
The regrind is safer. By that I mean if you bought a cam from somebody, whether it was new or used, if it was for a 276 or 291 (low deck block) the valve events would be off on one bank. Your 330 is a high deck block requiring a different angle of the lifter bores. If you did get a cam somewhere it would be wise to degree it in and then check the cam timing on no. 6 cylinder. If you see any difference in valve events it is a cam for a low deck block. There is no interchange between Chrysler, DeSoto or Dodge the lengths differ.
The blocks vary in length and I imagine it is enough to affect journal and lobe locations, but other than that I can’t say. As far as the low/high deck deal goes I crewed on a fuel car and aftermarket aluminum blocks were made as standard and raised cam. The aftermarket aluminum raised cam blocks have the same effect as putting a low deck cam in your engine, it screws up cam timing on one bank.
Ok, thanks for the info, i wish i could find a side by side comparison of a desoto tall deck cam to a chrysler 331-354 cam, if the difference is just in the snout i may be able to machine it to match, my dad has been a machinist for almost 30 years and can do some pretty crafty stuff
The early Chrysler/Dodge/DeSoto Hemi cams don't interchange... at all. If they could be made to work, Hot Heads would have solved that problem by now. You have two choices; regrind a stocker, or see if these guys are still around.... Contreras Camshafts 1327 S Lewis St Anaheim, CA 92805-6431 map Phone: (714) 533-6033 They were offering brand-new roller cams at one time, in either hydraulic or solid form. You'll also need the roller lifters, and custom pushrods. The Desoto Hemi is a real orphan; there's very little available in the way of hop-up parts unless you luck out and find some vintage parts... and are willing to pay for them....
I've used Oregon Cam Grinding for 40+ years and still do. 360-256-7985 Quality company and Quality work, plus they may have cores. I can't say enough good about them. It's worth a call for sure. The Wizzard
Egge sez they will build up lobes and grind I assume other companys can to as to price they said 2 lobes is about all you want to pay for.
The Jalopy Journal
