Thread: Crane Cam?

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I've got one that needs a bit of research. I picked up crane cam at a swap meet the other day for 25 bucks. Lobes and base circle are not even broken in from the looks of it. The guy had no paperwork on it and had sold the lifters before I got there. He didn't know if they were hyd. or solids. It's definitely a big block Chevy cam. Here's the dilema. Looking at one end of the cam it has: C intertwined with another C stamped in it Crane Cams is my guess. iIt also has BA 0558 stamped on the same end. Cast into the shaft is 295A8 T-F. Crane's website doesn't mention anything about this thing or list any of the numbers. So what is it?
I know I could measure the lobe height and the base circle and calculate the duration but that's no fun with all the gearheads out there that already have the info at their disposal. It's got quite a lobe height just by the looks of it so it's probably a good rumpity rump cam. Any thoughts?

Well, I think I would start with calling Crane Cams, and speaking with one of the techs...give them the numbers and see what they say. Remember, it very could be Comp Cams too. And for what its worth, never buy a used cam....there is no way you can get a history on it, and no matter what people tell you about re-using a cam, it rarely works, even with the same lifters in the same place. I have had bad experiences trying to use a used cam with same lifters, with new lifters, etc...it usually doesnt work. The problem is when it goes bad, there goes the rest of your rebuild too, with all sorts of metal particles in there. A new cam and lifters can be purchased for a little over a hundred bucks, and in my opinion, messing with something used just isnt worth it.

I believe this cam is new (unused) the reason I said not even broken in is due to the moly treatment used by Crane is still evident on the cam. Tried to call Crane and kept getting put on hold, sent here, sent there, etc etc. you know the routine. If your not a major engine builder.......POY.

Bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks JohnnyO.... Comp Cams XR265HR Comp cam techs bent over backwards to find this one......it's an older part number but still the same as the newer grind. I didn't think of CC being comp cams until you mentioned it. What's that saying about ASS-U-ME. Thanks Again.

Cool....a hydraulic roller. Good find !! Get some good lifters for it, and you'll be all set. Good luck

Hey Johnny I got another call back from Comp Cams. Seems they misunderstood me over the phone. They now say the cam is a solid flat tappet pn 11-601-5 grind # CB 259A-8 (sound familiar). This bad boy has .629 Int. .605 Ex. gross valve lift duration is 260 and 266 @.05. killer drag cam. Cost is $228. bucks. Not bad for a $25 dollar swap meet find. Thanks again for putting me on the right track.

No problem.....that's a big cam!! Duration especially. Well, I guess you'll have to take some of that money you saved on the cam and build yourself an engine that can use that bumpstick! Good luck with your bargain, you lucked out with that one. Good luck with your projects. John