2011 - Crane Cams

Oldsmobile DRCE V8
The DRCE (Drag Racing Corporate Engine) offered by Olds
consisted of a block and cylinder heads based on big block
Chevrolet dimensioning. The DRCE and DRCE2 engines
were never vehicle installed, nor were they offered as an
engine assembly. Directed towards Pro Stock racing, many
improvements were made over the Chevy, with these components
offered as basic building blocks for the particular
engine builder. Different lifter bore angles and camshaft
journal diameters were used, so if you obtain one of these
engines, be certain of exactly what dimensioned version
you have when requiring parts.
Crane offers custom ground camshafts and other components
for the DRCE series of engines. Please contact us
directly for your specific requirements.
Pontiac V8 1955-1981 265 (4.3L) – 287 301
(4.9L) – 316-326-347-350-370-389-400 (6.6L) –
421-428-455 cu.in.
The fabled Pontiac V8 family is also based on a common
dimensioned foundation. There are no “small block” or “big
block” versions. The exceptions that might be noted are the
1977-81 265 and 301 cu.in. lightweight engines, that
require the use of Chevrolet lifters due to relocated oil galleries,
and also have a different deck height (the cylinder
heads and many other internal parts were also unique).
These engines are designated by our 28-prefix. The blocks
have inline lifter bores with .842” diameter lifters. The standard
rocker arm ratio is 1.5:1, with the exception of the
1959-63 Super Duty engines (cylinder head casting numbers
540306, 544127, and 9771980) that were equipped
with 1.65:1 ratio rockers.
We offer complete lines of hydraulic, retrofit hydraulic roller,
mechanical, and roller lifter camshafts and components
for these engines. The carburized steel retrofit hydraulic
roller and street roller camshafts are equipped with a cast
iron distributor drive gear and rear journal. These are noted
by an IG suffix (Iron Gear), allowing the use of a standard
type distributor gear for long term reliability.
The same camshafts are applicable to nearly all of these
engines. One unique exception occurred in the 1973-74 455
Super Duty, which had an undersize distributor drive gear
on the camshaft, and an oversize gear on the distributor. A
standard configuration camshaft can be installed in these
engines, as long as a standard gear is also installed on the
distributor. We did produce some of the small gear camshafts
during that era, and they were designated by an “SD”
suffix after the grind number.
There was also a totally unique 1969 “Race Only” Ram Air V
engine with tunnel port heads that incorporated a different
valve layout, requiring a special camshaft. If you are fortunate
to have one of these rare engines, we can custom
manufacture a steel billet roller camshaft for it.
There are also aftermarket cylinder blocks being offered
today, which have options of different diameter cam bearing
journals. We can also produce special steel billet roller
camshafts for these applications.
Although the Pontiac V8 engines had stud mounted
stamped steel rocker arms with pivot balls, there were a
number of variations. There were a few exceptions for special
versions, but the basics are as follows: The 1955 engines
had straight 3/8” studs, with a crimped locking nut used for
adjustment. The 1956-60 engines had bottleneck 3/8” studs,
with a 5/16” threaded top section. The nuts were torqued
against the step, and were non-adjustable. The 1961-81
engines had bottleneck 7/16” studs, with a 3/8” threaded
top section, and were again non- adjustable. There were
Super Duty heads equipped with straight 7/16’ studs, having
an adjustable configuration. The bottleneck versions
can be made adjustable with the appropriate sized positive
locking adjusting nuts, providing the most accurate adjustment
for hydraulic camshafts, and are a necessity for
mechanical lifter camshafts. Today’s aftermarket aluminum
cylinder heads have straight studs intended for an adjustable
rocker configuration. We offer 1.5:1 and 1.65:1 ratio
rocker arms for most popular combinations.
In the late 70’s and early 80’s, General Motors interchanged
engines throughout the product offerings. Pontiacs could
have Oldsmobile engines, Buicks with Chevy engines, etc.
Make sure of exactly what engine you have before proceeding
with your service or modifications.
866-388-5120 • 386-236-9983 FAX 271