Technical What the heck is this cam?

I'm in the process of freshening up a '57 GMC truck with a 347 Pontiac motor in it. The cam is stamped with 522014. The only information I have come across indicates that this would have been in a '56 Pontiac Safari. Other than that, I can't find any other information on it. I intend to use the truck as a tow vehicle for an old Spartan trailer, so would like to see if it will be a good torque cam or if I should replace it. Anybody out there have some information on it?

 

'56 Pontiac w/ hydramatic according to 1956 Motor "Flat Rate'' ... Safari has nothing to do with it. Use it !

 

Are there any specs on the cam in there?

 

Go to "Old Car Manual Project" - find the '56 Pontiac shop manual and check there ...

 

Thanks 302GMC, I hadn't seen that resource yet!

 

Another great source of information is http://www.pontiacsafari.com There are shop manuals and parts catalogs there, among other things.

 

Flat rate "Motor's" manuals as well as Chilton flat rates are great for the part #'s that go with the repair - buy one the next time you can - they usually cover 8 to 10 years worth per manual.

 

The 347" Pontiac engine shows to be a 1957 engine. There were 2 different lifts of cams.
If your cam is in good condition you could have it checked or reground to make more
torque.

1957
HP Disp C.R. Ind. Make Model/Transmission Manifold R.R. Lifter Head cc Notes

227 347 8.5 1-2 Roch 7009832/ALL 1.5 H 66.0
244 347 8.5 1-4 Roch 7009829/ALL 1.5 H 66.0
252 347 10.0 1-2 Roch 7009831/ALL 1.5 H 66.0
270 347 10.0 1-4 Roch 7009830/ALL 1.5 H 66.0 1
290 347 10.0 3-2 Roch Fr-7011351,902 Rr-7011352,904 1.5 H 66.0 2
317 347 10.0 FI Roch 7014770/ALL 1.5 H 66.0 3

Notes
1-Alt carb Carter AFB-2506S/ALL
2-Alt carb C-7011350,903
3-Alt carb Optional usage is same 3-2's as on 290hp


Deck Piston Dish/Dome
HP Disp Cl Type Height Vol Valves Cam Lift Springs

227 347 .000 1880/1600 380/380 Outer & Inner
244 347 .000 1880/1600 380/380 Outer & Inner
252 347 .000 1880/1600 411/411 Outer & Inner
270 347 .000 1880/1600 411/411 Outer & Inner
290 347 .000 1880/1600 411/411 Outer & Inner
317 347 .000 1880/1600 411/411

 

Advance it 4-6 degrees and it will pull your house down the street.

 

" Everything old, is new again "

 

I had a 57 pontiac convertible with the 347 and three two's. Wonder if it was a different cam than the others. Lippy

 

If you are going to play with Pontiac engines, the paperback "Pontiac Performance 1955-1979" by Pete McCarthy, is an absolute must for your library.

Look for the second (or newer) printing.

Jon

 

I've got the dished pistons. The truck had a single 2 barrel, but I'm putting a 3-2 on it. I doubt it will help much, mostly for the wow factor. I might go with a slightly longer duration cam, but nothing over 220 duration. I want to be able to tow 6000 lbs of trailer.

 

If you plan to pull a 6000 pound trailer, DON'T discard your original 2-barrel intake and carburetor, when you change to the tripower.

Jon.

 

camcode1.htm From Wallace racing, one of the best sources for Pontiac information.

 

I've seen this page. Lots of useful info, but doesn't list the cam I found in my truck (522014). I had no idea if it was well suited for torque, although from the "old Car Manual Project" recommended by 302GMC I found that it was a 190/190 duration cam. I'm thinking I may go slightly longer, like about 205/210.

 

Dad tells me your cam is a stock 347 2 barrel cam used in all the cars and trucks that year. I will post it when I get the spec's.

 

205/210 is pretty mild for 347 inches. And, if you get it reground, pay attention to overlap numbers. Too much overlap combined with relatively low c/r does not make a stump puller. JMO