rods hitting cam
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 32
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Car: 1983 camaro
Engine: 383sbc
Transmission: 700r4
rods hitting cam
I am building a 383 for my 1983 camaro i have cleranced the block for the crank and the rods but when i installed my cam number 1 and 5 connecting rods hit my cam i was wondering if anyone has experanced this and any advice you cound give me thanks
Supreme Member
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,428
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From: Fairview Heights Illinois
Car: 1986 Irocz
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.25:1
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 556
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From: my garage
Car: 84 firebird T/A
Engine: shinny 350
Transmission: slush box L65
Axle/Gears: Torsen "3.73"
Re: rods hitting cam
Yeah you have to use the small base circle ground cam. requires different timing set as well
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 20,981
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From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: rods hitting cam
Did you install the cam before or after the crank and pistons?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 11
From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
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Supreme Member
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From: kissimmee fl
Car: 88 iroc-z z-28
Engine: 383
Transmission: th400
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: rods hitting cam
never had to clearance for my cam. weird. and no you do not need another timing set. double roller i suggest f you dont already have one
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: my garage
Car: 84 firebird T/A
Engine: shinny 350
Transmission: slush box L65
Axle/Gears: Torsen "3.73"
Re: rods hitting cam
I forget the exact difference but much to my surprise a few years back there is a difference. I could go look cause I have both cams but I think the bolt pattern is different for the small base circle cam or it had to do with the back face. I could look next time I go outside.
TGO Supporter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 9,067
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
Re: rods hitting cam
I forget the exact difference but much to my surprise a few years back there is a difference. I could go look cause I have both cams but I think the bolt pattern is different for the small base circle cam or it had to do with the back face. I could look next time I go outside.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 11
From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: rods hitting cam
yeah, i would look into the small base circle cam, i have a 383 small block, with a .600 lift cam, and even with the huge eagle h-beam rods, i still had plenty of clearance, call comp, that what cam i have, they should set you straight
Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,337
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From: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: Dart SHP 406ci T88 turbo
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP 35 spline Ford 9" 3.50 gears
Re: rods hitting cam
Yes I had the same problem and my heart sank and I broke out in a cold sweat when it happened. I ground down the rods a little to clear. Here are the before and after pics.
Last edited by pwdbychevy; Feb 17, 2009 at 10:20 PM.
TGO Supporter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 9,067
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
Re: rods hitting cam
I could be wrong about that, I`m not 100% sure here. I remember hearing about that somewhere a few years back. Has nothing to do with whether or not its a small base circle cam though.
Member



Joined: May 2006
Posts: 319
Likes: 2
From: Grand Junction, Co
Car: '83 WS6 T/A 65,000 miles
Engine: 5.0L vin H stock, 406SBC right now
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: Corp. 3.73
Re: rods hitting cam
This is the same action I took in my 406. 270 Comp cam, Eagle 5.7 inch I beam rods...a little grindage and no more rubbage. 36,000 miles no problems.
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