As I remember the old ones the higher the number the bigger and more radical. A #5 was considered pretty big as I remember. The almost non-existent closing ramp broke a lot of valve heads back then...
Hello, My brother was a Howard Cam fanatic. He liked the way the guys that ran their Gas Coupes, as well as other race cars, were a little down to earth, friendly to inquisitive teenagers, and were fast. So, when it was time to build our 2nd version of the new 292 C.I. SBC motor, it was Howard Cam stuff to be added to the whole build. Aluminum flywheel, LaSalle adapter to Chevy, as well as a certified cam made for a SBC blower driven motor. It came in a box with the complete lifter kit and we have no idea if there was a number or not. We got it from Joe Reath. We told him that it was needed for our new size motor they were working, on in the back of the machine shop. We had Reath bore out the block and order several speed parts specifically for a supercharged engine. (crank, pistons, rods) We were going to run a 671 on a 1/8th over SBC motor. He mentioned Engle and Isky cams, but we already used an Isky cam in the 283 version and Engle was specifically winning in the Oldsmobile motors. They were all good company cams and the difference was that the Howard Cam racers were more down to earth and nice to both of us young, inquisitive teenagers. similar but not the exact motor We already had the Edlebrock blower manifold and the new Isky-Gilmer wide drive belt system that just came out for SBC motors. So, Joe Reath was instrumental in doing the machining and ordering the specific speed parts necessary for our build. Jnaki I am sure the Howard Cam came in a box, but who writes down info from the box? So, who knows if there was a number. It was specifically ordered for our soon to be, 292 ci SBC motor. The Reath Automotive staff and builders knew their stuff and knew what worked best with the name brand parts companies. The ***embled parts arrived and we were now starting to finish the final puzzle of parts for the B/Gas and C/Gas Coupe and Sedan cl***es at Lions Dragstrip. It was a totally ground up, from a bare block to the full on 671 SBC motor. A giant puzzle for both of us young teenagers to finish the best we could.
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