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Old 05-28-2021, 03:15 PM
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Default NOS Pontiac Cam Stamp Question

I have what appears to be an NOS Pontiac 421SD #10 cam in the original GM tube (P/N 541596), however, it looks like a 'K' stamped into the nose, not a '10' from what I see in various cam references (Wallace, H-O Racing, etc.). Which stamp is correct? The lobes are low lift and pretty broad shouldered, so I'm hoping it's the real McCoy. I've had it since the mid-'80's.

Dennis
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  #2  
Old 05-28-2021, 03:38 PM
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My NOS Melling RPC-2 cam (541596) has nothing stamped on the nose.

The various websites and books we use for reference are all great guides but are of course not 100% accurate.


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  #3  
Old 05-28-2021, 04:17 PM
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I have owned some NOS ones over the years and that looks like the real deal.Tom

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Old 05-28-2021, 04:44 PM
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Thanks Bart & Tom! I know the stillborn SD455 'K' cam (RAIV grind) had the 'K' (obviously) stamp, so I wasn't expecting to see it in this cam. It has the standard distributor drive gear size, so it isn't the SD455/RAV cam. I think we'll degree it just to make sure it is what we hope it is.

Dennis

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Old 05-28-2021, 04:46 PM
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The only I wonder is if it a early 455 SD cam that was based on the No. 10?
Part number 480737, which had a 'K' stamped on it?
(would be hydraulic though I think and more lift)



Have seen a Craftsman bulletin on some earlier cams being given a new stamp.
(I think 529472 is one)


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Old 05-28-2021, 04:51 PM
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More lobe pictures.








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Old 05-28-2021, 04:52 PM
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John, It does have the same valve timing events and .050" duration as the RAIV cam, which the 'K' cam was a copy of except for the smaller distributor drive gear...I don't know, but the lobes look correct for low lift, not like a RAIV cam lobes.

Dennis

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Old 05-28-2021, 05:05 PM
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Here is the table showing the common specs between the high performance factory cams (courtesy of Wallace Racing).

Dennis
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Old 05-28-2021, 05:05 PM
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Thanks, I didn't see your post before I posted my response.
Forgot the gear would have been different on the SD cam.



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Old 05-28-2021, 05:09 PM
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FYI,they do not live well with street driving,idle has to be kept high.Tom

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Old 05-28-2021, 05:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tom s View Post
FYI,they do not live well with street driving,idle has to be kept high.Tom
I believe it Tom!

Dennis

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Old 05-28-2021, 05:12 PM
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Was the #10 cam standard in the 62 & 63 SD's?

Dennis

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Old 05-28-2021, 05:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SD455DJ View Post
Was the #10 cam standard in the 62 & 63 SD's?

Dennis
Cannot imagine why it wouldn’t be.

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Old 05-28-2021, 05:22 PM
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Yes in both,11s and 12s were over the counter.Tom

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Old 05-28-2021, 05:23 PM
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I remember seeing the 480737 cam in the 73 shop manual. I tried ordering one in 74 from very helpful parts man and couldnt. So I got H-O s equivalent.

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Old 05-28-2021, 05:24 PM
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never ran a 12,did run a 11.I never ran the factory 1.75 rockers and 3/8 pushrods.I have half a set of NOS 1.75s now.Tom

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Old 05-28-2021, 05:28 PM
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Quote:
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never ran a 12,did run a 11.I never ran the factory 1.75 rockers and 3/8 pushrods.I have half a set of NOS 1.75s now.Tom
1.75's are crazy...I've never seen any up close and personal. It's so cool the factory was so invested into racing and the parts development. What a great time to live!

Dennis

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Old 05-28-2021, 10:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by b-man View Post
My NOS Melling RPC-2 cam (541596) has nothing stamped on the nose.

The various websites and books we use for reference are all great guides but are of course not 100% accurate.

I have an original Melling catalog (from my old "Carbs, Cams, and More" company days) and it clearly shows the RPC-2 mechanical camshaft as being the correct #10 McKeller grind based on the info printed.

McKellar had factory Grind Numbers like the #8, #10, and #11 (I have never personally seen info on the #12) but those numbers were not stamped on the front of the camshafts like the cams with a letter on them L, P, S, H, and T cams. The cams just mentioned are all Hydraulic camshafts.

No worries at all about it being the correct #10 grind camshaft.

My catalog is from the early 1970s.

Tom V.

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Old 05-29-2021, 05:12 PM
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Thanks Tom V. If the factory SD cams didn't have the grind # stamped into them, what did they have...anything?...other letters? Does anyone have an original PMD factory SD cam with anything stamped into the nose? Did Melling supply the factory with cams for the SD program, or were they purely aftermarket (that's what I thought)?

Sorry for all the questions, but I find this stuff fascinating!

Dennis

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Old 05-29-2021, 07:07 PM
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I think Melling was the original supplier for the Pontiac factory 421 SD camshafts.

Later on, Harvey Crane built a state of the art camshaft grinding company in Jackson, Michigan called Camshaft Machine Company. Melling is also located in Jackson, Mi.

"Camshaft Machine Company manufactures internal combustion engine and fuel system camshafts for use in automobiles, trucks, heavy equipment and stationary engines. We supply both completely finished and semi-finished camshaft cores (UGL) ready for customer specific lobe grinds.

Employing state-of-the-art processes, the Company has over 1,400 active part numbers and sells directly to over 60 customers, including Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, and Caterpillar. The Company serves three principal markets: automotive original equipment, traditional aftermarket, and the performance aftermarket."

CMC was primarily a OEM camshaft supplier (Ford, GM, Chrysler).

Harvey decided to do aftermarket camshafts ground by CMC and sold under the name of Wolverine camshafts. Wolverine did some of the first High Lift Pontiac Hydraulic cams for the aftermarket. I believe HO Racing had their High lift 744 and 041 cams done by them.

This way Harvey could concentrate at the time on Roller cams in Florida with his much smaller grinding capability.

CMC also had a couple of smaller camshaft grinding shops in Muskegon Michigan, doing even smaller runs of performance cams. I had them do me 10 of the Ram Air IV cams back when Pontiac was charging over $300 for just the camshaft for the RA-IV and 455 SD cams. I paid no where near $300 each for the 10 RA-IV cams I purchased.

So there is a lot of Joint Venture deals between the Camshaft Guys.
When CMC was doing all of the 1st Ford Roller Cams for Mustang Production,
Melling did the Pontiac stuff to keep production going for Pontiac (limited volume).

Hope this helps.

Tom V.

Don Hubbard was the VP for CMC and one of Harvey's closest friends.
I was very good friends with Don until his passing in Florida years later.
Glenn Corwin was a Chief Engineer, and he was a Pontiac Guy too. RIP Glenn.

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