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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,874 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,874 | Can anyone here recommend a business that will grind a custom cam for a 216? I'm considering doing a buildup of an upgraded 216 for some dyno testing, and I'd like to make one of the modifications a 261-style "Corvette" cam lobe. The small-journal cam cores for 216's and early 235's are getting extremely scarce, but it seems that it would be possible to use a 235 cam and simply reduce the bearing journals to 216 diameter. That would also give a cam grinder more of a lobe to modify when changing timing and lift.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 | Yes, one of the best IMHO Delta Cam in Tacoma Wa. http://www.deltacam.com/
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 351 | The only outfit I've dealt with for custom grinding is Delta Cams. Pricy, but seem to do good work. I don't know if they will do all you are asking. http://www.deltacam.com/camshaftgrinding.php | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,874 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,874 | Thanks for the reference. I might have found a simpler solution- - - - -how about turning the bearing journals down on a 261 cam so it will fit into a 216 block? My Federal-Mogul bearing catalog shows that there's almost exactly 1/8" difference in the journals (all 4 of them, even though they're different sizes) so that means taking 1/16" off the radius of the cam journals should allow a 235/261 cam to fit into a 216 block. I've got a couple of junk 235 cams, and several 216's sitting around, and it won't be difficult to fire up the lathe and the tool post grinder to do a little experimenting. If I can get a cam and a block communicating with each other, then it will be time to check on such things as piston/valve clearances, etc.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 25 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 25 | I had a horrible looking cam I sent to Delta cams in Tacoma, after talking to them they said they have a 3/4 grind that would work for me.. looked band new when it came back.. surfaced the lifters also for about $85 dollars total .. a bargain these days.. | | |
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