Need revrot camshaft 229 GM V6

"Looking for a cam for 160 hp

"Looking for a cam for 160 hp Crusader..1980-84..reverse rotation 229 V6 GM. Will take new, reground, or core. Anyone got any leads?"

"No, but be REAL careful that

"No, but be REAL careful that you get the right one. That engine came with even fire, uneven fire, and semi-uneven fire crankshaft arrangements. The cam you get HAS to match the crankshaft arrangement exactly or it will be a DOG!

Jeff"

"Thanks for the input Fastjeff

"Thanks for the input Fastjeff. This particular engine is somewhat misunderstood by some. I believe this info to be instructive.

"In 1978 Chevy introduced its first V6 engine, a 200 cid engine with a 3.50" bore and 3.48" stroke. The new engine was based on the very successful small block with identical block geometry having a deck height (centerline of crankshaft to cylinder deck measured along the centerline of the bore) of 9.025" and a height (centerline of crankshaft to top of engine along the center of the 90 deg. V) of 9.805". Cylinders are spaced on 4.40" centers on each bank and the centers of cylinders on the two banks are offset to accommodate the two connecting rods on each crank journal. Cylinder banks are at 90 deg. to each other as in the small block. The V6 - 90 deg. block is therefore a small block V8 with numbers 3 and no. 6 cylinders removed. Many of the small block components including valves, rocker arms, springs, piston assemblies etc. are therefore interchangeable with the 90 deg. - V6. In 1980 the displacement was increased to 229 cid with a 3.74" bore and 3.48" stroke; virtually identical to the 305 cid small block bore and stroke. the 229 cid engine had 1.84" dia. intake valves and 1.50" dia. exhaust valves. All 1978 to 1984 V6’s were produced in a semi even-fire version.

While the 90 deg. - V8 engine produces a natural even-fire engine with each cylinder firing at 120 deg. intervals the 90 deg. - V6 engine is an odd-fire engine. In the odd-fire mode V6 engines typically run rough with excessive vibration. The odd-fire V6 operation was improved substantially by modifying the crankshaft. Each pair of adjacent connecting rods shared a crankshaft throw with the two journals offset by 18 deg. This offset produced a firing sequence of 132 deg./108 deg. or a semi even-fire sequence throughout the firing order. It also required that connecting rod lower ends be 0.050" narrower than the small block V8 engines to provide for a thrust bearing between adjacent connecting rod journals.

In 1985 a 262 cid (4.3L) engine (4.00" bore x 3.48" stroke) was introduced with a true even fire sequence of 120 deg; the internal block dimensions are identical to the 350 cid small block. This even-fire sequence was accomplished by increasing the offset between adjacent crank journals to 30 deg. In order to give the 30 degree offset the rod journal diameter had to be increased from 2.10" to 2.25" to provide enough overlap between offset journals. Connecting rods in the 4.3L V6’s are not compatible with any other Chevy engines. The 262 cid engine had 1.94" intake valves and 1.50" exhaust valves. Fuel induction systems for the 4.3L engine included quadrajet carburetors, throttle body fuel injection (TBI) and central port fuel injection (CPI)."

Thanks again, Jack"

"Nice piece of detailed info,

"Nice piece of detailed info, Jack. Thanks.

Buick straightened out their odd-firing mess first, then Chevy did there's (but, for some reason, they did it halfway before going to the full even fire). The ancient Buick V-6 of 1962 is now the excellent GM 3800 series engine, one of the most developed engines in history (and exceptionally efficient. In tests, the 3.8 liter motor was quicker, got better mileage, and was "more responsive" than the 3.5 liter "Short Star" multivalve engine derived from butchering a Northstar.)


A surprising amount of V-8 components will NOT fit a V-6, as NASCAR racers found to their dismay in the early Bucsh Series days. The V-6s were quickly dropped so the teams could utilize the (then) Winston Cup motor parts.

Jeff"