Hi Guys,
Sometime back I posted some questions about an Elgin cam and lifter kit that JC Whitney was selling for around $100 bucks. They called it a fuel saver, and said it was "an excellent choice for towing." The over all description sounded like an RV or mild performance cam, but they did not list any specs. Well JCW discontinued that cam, and I never did get any satisfactory answers, and when I ask at the NAPA store in town the smart mouth kid at the counter claimed he had never heard of Elgin. He also said the only way to get a performance cam for a 250 six would be through Comp cams or Crane or one of the other high dollar companies. Prices run from $150 up w/o lifters. Well not surprisingly the kid at the
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NAPA markets the same cam under the Clevite brand name. I do not know if Elgin makes them or not, but the folks at Elgin gave me all the specs, and they are identical with NAPA part #KITK2065
Duration at .050 is 194/204, gross lift is .491, and lobe centers are 105/115. The perfect cam for a mild 250 street engine! If you look under Camaro rather than Pick Up Truck, they list this cam and one a bit lumpier at 224 duration @.050 and .509 gross lift.
So then, an Isky cam with similar specs and high performance lifters, valve springs, and cam bearings would have cost around $250. Other brands about the same or higher. This set-up from NAPA will come in at around $188. On my budget that is a meaningful amount of money.
Here in ST Helens it's either the NAPA store, or drive 40 miles to Portland. Now here's the rub; I used to stand in this store drinking a Nehi Orange and holding my father's hand while waiting for him to get parts for whatever stovebolt or small block he was juicin' up at the time, so there's history; a strong connection between me and that store. However, since the old timers who once dominated the local NAPA store have all retired and the 2nd generation owner is getting older and working less, I am learning that the best way to use a NAPA store is to circumvent the knotheads at the counter by going to the web site. Then when I go to the store I just say, "Listen up junior! Here's what I want!"
Who knows; maybe I'm just gettin' old and goofy.
:mad: Bob
