Chevy 261 cam Identification

I have a 261 with a camshaft that has the number 201394 stamped into the back. Does anyone have an ID on this ? I need to buy compatible lifters and pushrods. I sent an email to isky cams as some of their other cams have similiar numbers - and waiting for their response. I thought maybe someone on here may be an expert. Thanks Bob

 

Apparently Isky cams is not anxious to answer my email by looking into their archives....anybody have an old Isky catalog that could run this part number? 201394 Thanks Bob

 

Individual Emails to sales dept, tech dept, and customer service department...... Without even an acknowledgment. I may just pull the brand new cam and buy another one. I bought this engine short block from an estate. I guess any info died with the owner. Any way, I wouldn't even consider an isky cam now.

 

are you sure its Isky?

have you checked the journal size to see if it is for a pre or post '54 engine?

If it is an aftermarket cam, and for the later large journal engines, then I would expect any '55-62 lifter would work, but you would need to use the style based on the year of the block.

Then there's the issue of if its for solids or hydraulic...

 

All I can say is that Iskenderian may not be the email type-- a couple years ago, I called them concerning the specs of an ancient Isky roller cam that was in a '56 322 Buick engine I picked up; even though I have several old catalogs, it wasn't in any of them. After telling my tale to whomever answered the phone, they put me on hold, and Ron Iskenderian picked up, took my information, and went and found me the specs.

 

...and for what it's worth, I just looked through a few old Isky catalogs, and there are no six digit part numbers to be found; however, the 1937-53 Chevy small journal camshafts all have a "201" designation.

 

Thanks for the replies, this is just a little frustrating - I sent the emails to give them time to do a little research....thought it might work better. I am assuming this is an isky cam as they have other cams with the 6 digit part numbers "201xxx".

Quite the story how I obtained the engine - The previous owner found a rebuildable 261 and took it to a local highly reputable machine shop. He then had a guy install the pistons, crank, cam, and other all new components while he went on a search for a good 848 high compression head. The guy that put the engine together waited patiently for the owner to show up with the head, lifters, and pushrods.....but the owner passed away before he found a suitable 848 head.....His widow threw out all of the parts and sold his project car. I bought the 261 from the guy who was putting it together and never got paid.

I found a good 1954 848 head and just had it redone and drilled for steam holes...that's when my mechanic inquired about my lifters and pushrods....hence my dilemma - not even sure if this is solid or hydraulic. Don't know if this is a performance cam or ????? Having a hard time tracking down the guy I bought it from - hopefully if I can find him he may be able to help me.

 

Well, if it is an Iskenderian product, I've never seen them offer a hydraulic camshaft for the 216/235 style engine. Also, what style lifter it uses depends on whether it's a cast or forged cam. Find that out the same way you tell between cast and forged crankshafts---very thin parting line is cast, wide and flat parting line is forged. The forged cams used the early style "goblet" lifters.

 

now that we know the rest of the story...

Being a '54 engine, you'll still want to check the diameter of the front bearing, as there were some early '54's that still had the small journals. It will become important should you replace the cam.

Also, the 848 head came out in '56, and it has a larger hole for an electric temp sender. If you are planning on installing this engine in an older Chevy with stock mechanical gauges, you will need an adapter fitting for the head. Moroso makes them.