Ok. I'm getting ready to pull it apart, replace the oil pan gasket, rear seal and valve seals. Got to thinking that it would be a good time to replace the timing chain and maybe upgrade the cam.

Right now, it's basically a stock L69 with headers. What would be a good choice for a cam to wake it up a bit? I don't want too lopey of an idle, since it's basically a summer daily driver. Thx

Any other suggestions while I'm in there (aside from just tossing it in favor of a 350) Also, suggestions/PNs for timing chain replacement?

.. A cam under 220*/230* duration at .050"...

.. Summit has an inexpensive SBC true roller timing chain...

This Lunati Voodoo cam might be a good choice;
http://www.jegs.com/i/Lunati/638/60100LK/10002/-1#
But it wouldnt hurt to call the cam company of your choice and talk to a tech person,or call a bunch of companies and see what their recommendation is.Be sure to have all the specs available,compression ratio,gearing,etc...
Guy

Cloyes is a well known manfacturer of timing sets,heres one;
http://www.jegs.com/i/Cloyes/220/9-1100/10002/-1#
Guy

I was just going to suggest a Voodoo Guy. Although I would up it to the 60101lk. Great flat tappet cam for a 305. I've been running one in mine for a while now & have been very pleased with it. It goes without saying to replace the lifters as well as the springs when you're changing the cam.

Those are all good suggestions. I would suggest that you call a couple of different cam companys and see what they suggest and then go with the advice they give you and make a choice from there.

Maybe even some new pushrods as well...

Roger, here's a post from a few months back:

305 Cams

.. Summit offers a TRUE roller timing chain set for the same price as what others sell a block roller for:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G6600

.. Yes, the Lunati Voodoo /60101 or /60102 would work well depending on how brave you are... it might be hard to tell the peformance of the VooDoo /60100 from the stock SS cam... Comp, Isky, Howard's, Herbert have similar cam grinds...

.. This Summit cam and lifters for $100 less than the Lunati kit would also work well, it's just not quite as cutting edge, basically about like the VooDoo /60101 :

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-K1103

.. If you have the '86-'88 SS w/ roller block and want to convert to a mild, but powerful roller cam 210/215 duration:

https://shop.enginekits.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2143

.. The Chevy ZZ3/ZZ4 roller cam 208/221 duration would also be a good choice and can prolly be found used...

.. Here's some suitable 'Z28' type valvesprings (ignore what Lunati says about just using your "stock" valvesprings, they're a bit too weak):

https://shop.enginekits.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2971

the VooDoo 60100lk is on the ragged edge of too small giving a dynamic compression of 8.36 to 1... better be running headers and good exhaust, I would prefer that number to be closer to 8.2 for stock Iron heads...

The VooDoo 60101lk or the comp cams XE256-H will get you in the 8.2 to 1 dynamic compression ratio range which is better IMHO

good food for thought, thanks guys

I run the voodoo 60101 in my 400. Since I didn't tear into the motor when I swapped it in I was stuck with old stock 400 compression. I couldn't go with a lot of overlap, I wanted to go with the 279 thumpr cam, so had to scale back a little. It has moderate lift, stock springs could probably handle it but mine are dual springs, and reasonable overlap with a 112LSA. In retrospect I probably could have gone to the 60102 and wish I had, but I didn't realize someone had already upgraqded the springs. I imagine that would make a great cam for a 305.

when ya get the bug, your screwed. when you take that apart you think horsepower, when ya dump a cam in it, you will want better flowing heads, intake, bigger carb, etc. lol. do er all at once!

.. I have the Summit cam that is close to the 60102 for my 405"... little bit more duration, little bit less lift... maybe the gentler lobes won't be as hard on the valvetrain...

.. The 60101 is plenty for a street 305"... I run the Crane version of that size in my 351W... the 60102 would prolly be more suitable for a street/strip 305" with upgraded heads...

Wow, did all you guys actually run these cams in your monte's? Did they have press fit or screw in studs? I ran a set of 1.6 roller tipped rocker arms and I started pulling all the studs out. I cant imagine what a cam would do to those rockers. Maybe I was just unlucky?

.. Generally the first valvetrain upgrade is to replace the push in studs with screw in studs... or at least pin the pushins in place... at $20/set for stronger screw in studs, why take a chance on them pulling out or breaking off? They can barely hold in with a stock valvetrain... and if they have 5/16" top threads, they break off...

.... https://shop.enginekits.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2298

.. As far as I know, all aluminum heads already have screw in studs... aluminum is a little weaker, expands with heat more than iron/steel, and slippery, so prolly not a good substance for pushin studs that depend on just tight fit and friction to hold them in...

Yes, I'm running the Lunati with the stock, press in studs. Haven't had any trouble & I installed it close to 2 years ago.