i have a 65 catalina convertible 389 auto holley 750 with cast#76 heads converted to unleaded gas. car is to be overhauled nothing too fancy 9 or 9.5 pistons.would like to speed up the takeoff and torque no high rpms . what cam should i get ? should i include 1.6 rockers? will they work? 76heads? listed these as low hp 389 and also on the 421? dont see how they can be both. if these are no good what heads should i look for please keep answers very basic novice at work thanks for help bob

i have a 65 catalina convertible 389 auto holley 750 with cast#76 heads converted to unleaded gas. car is to be overhauled nothing too fancy 9 or 9.5 pistons.would like to speed up the takeoff and torque no high rpms . what cam should i get ? should i include 1.6 rockers? will they work? 76heads? listed these as low hp 389 and also on the 421? dont see how they can be both. if these are no good what heads should i look for please keep answers very basic novice at work thanks for help bob

[Blackcat]

With out knowing what your driving needs are going to be. Stock rebuild with a HO cam will wake up the motor. Most people overcam the motor and it sounds great but no go at the stoplight. You can call me. I live in Austin. 512-443-6486 days The heads are ready for unleaded gas. Why spend more money?

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Gatomon
A car is cheaper than a girlfriend. Better than a wife. If it gives you trouble you can park it and forget about it!

[Will]

Blackcat's right, his suggestion is the easiest and most sensible. However, if you don't mind spending some money, bore the block + .060" and run standard bore 400 pistons in it. Then buy a set of 6X-4 heads and put them on with a Summit K2800 cam. Smooth idle, lotsa low-end. For more midrange and a hint of performance idle, the Summit K2801 is a good choice.

1.6 or 1.65 rockers will help either cam make more midrange but you have to make sure the heads are setup for the extra lift and the pushrod holes are opened up for clearance. For the money you'd spend on rocker arms you could find more power in a good exhaust system or an aftermarket torque converter (assuming you're running a TH350 or 400 trans - I know nothing about the older trannies).

Good luck!
-Will

hey thanks for the input. can you tell me who sells the summit cam? my guess is that i will have to have this bored to 60,000 anyway so the 400 pistons sounds good. guess i will forget the rockers. yes i do have the original tranny in it but am thinking about going to a 400 what stall covertor would you recommend?blackcat i will call you late next week as i am in missouri now working 12 hours a day on a fire damaged house bob

[Half-Inch Stud]

You want off-idle torque; consider using the Q-Jet in place of the Holley. The high-veocity Primaries do nice thing for off-idle response and you can delay the secondary opening for numerous good reasons.

Then curve the distributor for optimal perf. Not certain what the 1000RPM to 300RPM advance numbers should be for a 400 type motor. I'm too used to 455's that the low-RPM timing can be all over the place in comparison.

[mike nixon]

the summit cam is available from summit racing.[SummitRacing.com or 1-800-230-3030]
hope this helps you out,mike