1972 307 cam selection... HELP!

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

The pre-62 283s were small journal, but the 62-68 283s were medium journal, just like the 327s.

Actually, medium journal cranks were not used in the 327 until 1968. And I think all 283s were small journal. Google it. (For those who aren't sure what we're talking about, I say "medium journal" because only the 400 had what is referred to as "large journals".)

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

The 307 crank was just balanced different for the 307 piston weight. Smaller piston= less weight

Correct. Several years ago I built a 327 using a 350 block and 307 crank. The shop that balanced it had to add Mallory metal to a few counterweights.

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

The little 302 made impressive horsepower, but torque was limited since it was a high winding road race engine designed to turn 8000rpm (race version at least) on long straights at speed.

Exactly. A buddy of mine had a late 60s Z28 back in the day, and said it was a rocket ship, but not great as a daily driver. The race versions used dual quads on a cross ram manifold and reportedly made over 500hp(!) on an engine dyno when it was tested by Smokey Yunick.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...8#post-6908697
There's another story out there saying Holman-Moody got similar numbers.