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454 330 HP RH Engine rebuild

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tbeard View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbeard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 454 330 HP RH Engine rebuild
    Posted: September-29-2025 at 6:54pm
 - New thread due to different subject and not a Damper plate.

I called Howard's Cam and they do not make Camshafts for RH motors but they refereed me to Cam Motion in Louisiana. Talked to CM and they stated that my motor with the 2 piece gear drive the crank turned reverse but camshaft rotated as LH/normal. My distributor gear is a standard rotation gear nor reversed. However firing order being in reverse I will need a custom Grind cam. Also CM stated that with the wet exhaust I would need a Lobe Separation of 114/115 degrees. 

Cam Motions can provide any duration and lift that I would like. However I am not a Cam Shaft engineer but I would like to step up the specs and power band to gain a little more performance over the 330 HP PCM. All I have to go on is the specs from other 454 marine engine camshafts like the 330 HP and the Magnum 454 listed below. Changes to this motor are Large Oval port heads - 781s, Hydraulic Roller Cam, HEI Ignition, 9.2 Compression and Balanced rotating assembly. Mabey 1400 - 5200 RPM performance....Any suggestions on Cam Specs and if this Reverse engine info does not sound correct please let me know as well. 

BTW I am not opposed to a flat tappet camshaft off the shelf if I can find one of the melling replacements cams!  Thanks....Tom

- 454 330 HP .231/.217 duration .460/.480 lift W 114 Lobe Separation
- 454/502 Magnum = .224/.224 duration .510/.510 lift W 115.5 Lobe Separation


Thanks.......Tom
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-29-2025 at 7:49pm
TRB has dealt with them

Here's a quote from a post about 12 years ago so those prices were in 2013 dollars.


I'm sure he could give you a good recommendation, send him a PM if he doesn't pop into this thread

Originally posted by TRBenj TRBenj wrote:



We put a custom RH roller from Cam Motion (sourced through Marine Kinetics) in our BFN (454). Not only does it make big power, but I no longer worry about wiping out a cam lobe... heck, the peace of mind alone is worth the cost! The $750 price tag is a bit misleading- because it does not include the roller lifters ($400-500), and theres a good chance you'll need to change your valvesprings to handle the steeper ramp rates. Of course, you save $250 by not having to buy a flat tappet cam and lifter set... so factor that in if youre considering a cam swap. Total upgrade cost is in the $1200-1500 range.
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tbeard View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbeard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-29-2025 at 8:08pm
Thanks Ken They stated the cost started at $ 700 and they no longer make Flat Tappet camshafts. 6 - 8 week delivery for the Roller. I need to decide what specs to have the cam ground to. That part is basically an educated guess of SWAG for me.
Thanks.......Tom
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-01-2025 at 8:08am
Since I don't see anything happening here, I figured I'd toss out one idea for you.

Why not use the specs from one of those normal rotation Comp Cams camshafts you mentioned in the other thread?

Something like their normal rotation 11-445-8 cam specs duplicated on a reverse rotation cam blank.

It would be an improvement without going crazy on lift etc.

The 112 LSA will work with no issues with your exhaust system or let them make it 114 or 115 degrees.

There must be a new intake manifold in the plan too, I'd imagine?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GottaSki Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-01-2025 at 1:45pm
Consider LSA by itself is not the entire picture, one should use a calculator like this ...
https://mgispeedware.com/camshaft-calculator/

LSA  recommendations for wet exhaust depend entirely what the i/e  durations are to get the desired overlap. stating 114-115 is necessary is incomplete information. 

Both those stock marine grinds mentioned above are -4 to -6 degrees overlap at 0.050 , but also means there is still physical overlap at lower lift, not zero.  Eliminating overlap  at 0.000 lift entirely would produce a doggy engine, industrial like.

those overlaps are of course very safe and should encounter no issues up to and around  0 overlap at  .050 

that comp 11-445-8 is -3 overlap at its 112 lsa,   and should be a kick in the pants, but still very 'safe' and depending on ones goals, one could consider more intake duration options. 
 
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing."

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbeard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-02-2025 at 12:10am
Thanks guys! 
Sorry for late response. Been driving from Dallas to Lexington Ky past couple days. I did place a second call to Cam Motion and got a different tech/sales on the phone. He kinda had a different tune and stated he would have to talk with the Grinder. Told me he would call me back ASAP. Also stated he was Not sure they would even grind the Cam for me! Kinda surprised me......Like I said I have not herd back. 

SO last night in hotel I started searching for the original flat tappet cam which was also made by Melling. I found NOS ones available at a shop for $300.00 If this Hyd Roller does not work out I will be replacing the cam with an original flat tappet. Keeping the new heads and new pistons while increase compression to 9.2 to 1. Adding new HEI and carb rebuild and new prop.

 I did call Howard's Cam back and told them about the flat tappet cam approach and they recommended Lifters 91167 Direct Lube. And also state to use Lucas Hot Rod oil which is a High Zink. I run that in my 67 Camaro 350 LT1 with a solid lift flat tappet cam. No issues in 3 years. Also told me to remove the inner Spring during the break in process.
Crazy.........
Thanks.......Tom
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbeard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-02-2025 at 9:07am
Can you guys recommend a intake Manifold that would be a good replacement for this factory PCM 454 intake manifold? Heads are 781 Large oval port heads. It would have to be a Low profile to clear the motor box. 
BTW I have researched but it is hard to find a very low profile one and I do not want to modify the Motor box.

Thanks....Tom
Thanks.......Tom
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-02-2025 at 8:29pm
I'd check out a Chevrolet Performance 12363406 or the 12363407 from Summit.

They're for the big oval port heads.

The 12363407 has ports that are CNC machined to match the head ports.

Don't know about height compared to your stock manifold, but you won't need the Holley to Quadrajet bolt pattern adapter that's on your stock manifold, so that'll help Wink

And depending on what your flame arrestor looks like, maybe you can come up with a lower profile arrestor to gain some clearance
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbeard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-03-2025 at 11:56pm
Thanks Ken....When I get home I will measure mine Intake and compare it to the GM one. Wish I would have measured the clearance under the motor box before I pulled the motor. I did here of a good way to measure by making a ball out of aluminum foil and sit on breather and close the box. 
Thanks.......Tom
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