For Dave or anyone else . . . What was the cam for the '71 W-30 4-speed? Was it a radical profile like the '70 (328?) or was it toned down? Was it still different than the automatic's? I've found some conflicting info. I'm willing to bet it's different than the '70. Thanks!
Diego: Shooting from the hip here, but pretty sure all the cams were backed off when they went to low compression in 1971. High duration cams don't work well with low compression. The opposite is also true that small cams don't work well with high compression. That sums up the problem with my Ramrod right now, but at least it's running with the original motor again. Brian (Black Gold) may be the best source on this. He's done some research inside the Olds engine assembly manuals and parts lists. I eworked in final assembly, we put whatever had the right part codes in the cars and shipped them. :laugh:
Buicklawyer had both a 70 and a 71 W30 . He told me the hot cam in the 70 was a one year only. He is pretty sharp on O cars as he has owned most of them at one time.
Hi, Diego. For what it's worth, here's what the Olds FAQ says about the stick W-30 cams. Like Dave said, looks like they backed it down in '71. I'll check the '71 Engine Assembly Manual tonight to see if it agrees. Year Part # Ovlp Dur(I/E) Lft(I/E) Application 1966 397328 82 308/308 .474/.474 400 OAI (W-30) 1967 397328 82 308/308 .474/.474 400 OAI (W-30) 1968 402569 108 328/328 .475/.475 400 OAI after 1-1-68 1969 402569 108 328/328 .475/.475 400 OAI ex. W-32 1970 402569 108 328/328 .475/.475 455 4400 ST OAI (W-30) 1971 409759 68 294/296 .472/.472 455 4400 ST OAI (W-30) 1972 409759 68 294/296 .472/.472 455 F-85, 455 ST OAI (W-30) Two nice things about a big cam with low compression: it cranks really fast, and you never have to worry about detonation.
Diego, I verified in the '71 Engine Assembly Manual that the cam specs I posted above for '71 W-30 manual are correct. In case you're wondering, the intake lobe centerline is at 114 degress. Interestingly, in '71 the automatic W-30s used a different cam for A/C vs. non-A/C. The A/C cars used the same cam as in '70, but the non-A/C cars got a little extra oomph. They didn't do that in previous years. I'll be spectating Saturday; hope to see you there.
Interesting about the AC cam. I know some companies did this, but altogether they had two cams - one for oomph and one for AC. Or, like in 1970's case, they kept the auto mild, AC or not. Stop by on Sat if you can!
Variations in cars due to girlie-boy options. Two types of muscle cars: 1. Those that ran 2. Ones with softer, gentler, touchy feely stuff. I'm really happy that all the 68 W31's had 4 speeds, no A/C, etc. etc. No panty waste automatics, power brakes, A/C, cruise control, tissue dispensers, condom dispensers, etc. were offered. It took a real Man to drive one of these. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Took even more than that to stop one with the manual drum brakes being the only brake available that year. You learned to always plot your escape route in case something pops up in front of you. Explains why we sometimes had to run through swamps, front yards, corn fields, etc. etc. :laugh: :laugh:
I've run through yards, but we called it "turfing." I don't recall the brakes being used at all. :Brow:
