Originally posted by 71nova
Well i also ran into so many problems with my motor i wanted to blow it up but i didnt, I had a slight bigger lunati cam the 515 lift one and had plenty of vacuum. I went with an even bigger cam and still have good vacuum. I doubt cam is ur problem, i would look elsewhere, maybe distributor, are ur weights kicking back all the way? i asked everybody and they all told me different things, a little sandpaper on the posts is all i needed so they kicked back. I would get rid of the cats too, no need. What kind of carb do u have, how built is this motor of urs? i also have iron heads with small valves and can pull off some good timeslips. How did u adjust ur valves? are they too loose?, too tight? bent pushrods? What kind of intake do u have? I think everyone will want more info on ur motor. It could be lots of things, is this a stock 350 with a cam change? I really think you need to share more.
Thanks to all so far who have given advice. Most of the specs I have posted as responses to Mike P. I think I know where the biggest problems lie and your inputs have basically confirmed this. Last engine job was done while I was living in N. Carolina. Thought I was in the home of performance and engine specialists. Was I wrong.

I know of quick fixes to distr. weights and springs including slight reshaping of ears. Before I get there I think there are fundamental changes to be made. I cannot agree more in the statement that all components must match each other throughout the drive train to allow a cohesive peroformance objective to be met. I only wish the engine shops/machine shops knew this and advise their customers accordingly instead of sticking in anything that fits. I realize now I have a mismatch screwup of engine components fighting against each other. The car is no better now than the original 305/350turbo trans/2.29 rear end.

Will review info given by all parties to date but I must stress that I am looking for a performance street car. Should I stick with iron heads with lower comp. or replace with alum. to increase to around 10.1 as long as I am OK on prem fuel 91/93 oct.
For a street car the Lunati cam is no good. I listed 2 options in past response wonder if anyone has used either of the 2 described. The Lunati cam currently installed is not suitable for a street car. The iron heads are basic OE units. Have no idea if they were a matched pair will have to check.

If I go to roller cam would I have to replace heads with aluminum units or not?

Thanks to all. ROC