Ramon Lowe 58 Pontiac

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Rich,

I was always confused with those Pontiac Combinations,

As to what combination came from the Factory, what was the Dealer Installed Option, and what came in the 'Trunk'.

Factory Camshaft Applications for the Pontiac 370
Part #521357 -------- .373"/.373" Lift ~ 252*/252" Duration ~ 38* Overlap ~ Code '357'
Part #529472 --------.407"/.411" Lift ~ 273*/282* Duration ~ 55* Overlap ~ Code '472'
Part #522869 --------.406"/.406" Lift ~ 289*/298* Duration ~ 50* Overlap
Part #524886 --------.411"/.411" Lift ~ 283*/293" Duration ~ 60* Overlap ~ Code''886'

The McKellar #6 was introduced in 1961.
The McKellar #7 was introduced in 1962 {.414"/.414" ~ 301"/308* Duration}
The McKellar #10 was introduced in 1961 {.520"/.520" Lift ~ 306*/320* Duration}

The McKellar #10 Camshaft was a 'Solid Lifter' design, but later a Hydraulic 'design' version was offered.

All Pontiac std production cams were hydraulics. They never offered a solid on any engine.

They did have a long list of Hi Performance parts that you could order from your local dealer if they were interested in trying to get the parts for you.

It was not always an easy deal.....

They made special exhaust manifolds along with those Mckellar cams and the additional valve train parts like springs and retainers .....

The parts were designated with a T-for trophy......and the first ones I knew about were designated T-395A and fit cars like my '58 Chieftan

Better designed high flow cast iron exhaust manifolds with dual exhaust...

With a Tri-Power and a Mckellar cam and and a set of 4.10's or 4.30's your old Pontiac would run pretty strong.....Mine went in the 14's with an AFB.....and 4.56 gears with a mostly stock exhaust system....4 speed auto...

I tried to get those T-395A manifolds for my '58 but the parts were not available by the mid 60's.....Headers tended to leak and were too noisy to me for a street car.....although when I had 4.56's you could not hear anything but the engine screaming under the hood.....

Later parts for 389's were T-425A designated........

389's ran very well.....and again with a cam and Tri-Power carbs they could put one of those big tanks in the low 14's or quicker as a street car.....

They really needed to be hot rodded a little and they improved a lot....

Do the heads......distributer and carb(s) and add some rear gears of at least 3.90's and some Sunoco 260......