cam suggestions HELP!

[cfrancis]

O.K. here goes.
I just pulled my motor and it looks like I have some head gasket issues. I am having a valve job done and the heads checked out to be safe.
I am considering replacing the stock (hyd roller cam).
Looking for input, keep in mind I want to stay with through the hull exhaust, and not get too radical on this engine.
Also possibly looking for a real good clean set of logs.
Here are all the Original Engine specs that I was able to get from Mercury on this engine.
454 CHEVY
SN OM017680
Model 4542077N1
310 HP. 7.4 LITER L29
BRAVO 3 GENERATION 6
NEW CRATED IN JULY 2,000
MULTI PORT INJECTED
3” EXHAUST RISERS
4 BOLT MAINS
FORGED STEEL RODS
CAST STEEL CRANK
OVAL PORT HEADS
CAST ALUMINUM PISTONS / FLAT TOP W/ VALVE RELIEF
STOCK HYDROLIC ROLLER CAM (NUMBERS STAMPED ON CAM FM157012 2296 0199 Merc states is has lobe lift exhaust .284 intake .282 duration exhaust 209 intake 209
RPM RANGE 4200-4600 WIDE OPEN THRODLE
7 QT.OIL PAN
ADDITIONS/CHANGES/IMPROVEMENTS
ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP
MSD IGNITION SYSTEM MS6M-2
PROFESSIONAL INTAKE same as PERFORMER 1,500-5000 RANGE
Holly 780 cfm 4150 MUSCLE CAR CARB FROM TPC RACING (TY)
CURRENT JETS 77 FRONT / 82 REAR
GLENWOOD THROUGH THE HULL EXHAUST LOGS
THE BOAT IS A 78 TAYLOR SJ WITH A 12J F PUMP WITH PLACE DIVERTOR A –IMPELLER seems like a tight pump
BOAT WILL CURRENTLY GPS. AT 63 MPH. AT 4,500 RPM.
Suggestions welcome.
Thanks

[FASTRAT]

O.K. here goes.
I just pulled my motor and it looks like I have some head gasket issues. I am having a valve job done and the heads checked out to be safe.
I am considering replacing the stock (hyd roller cam).
Looking for input, keep in mind I want to stay with through the hull exhaust, and not get too radical on this engine.
Also possibly looking for a real good clean set of logs.
Here are all the Original Engine specs that I was able to get from Mercury on this engine.
454 CHEVY
SN OM017680
Model 4542077N1
310 HP. 7.4 LITER L29
BRAVO 3 GENERATION 6
NEW CRATED IN JULY 2,000
MULTI PORT INJECTED
3” EXHAUST RISERS
4 BOLT MAINS
FORGED STEEL RODS
CAST STEEL CRANK
OVAL PORT HEADS
CAST ALUMINUM PISTONS / FLAT TOP W/ VALVE RELIEF
STOCK HYDROLIC ROLLER CAM (NUMBERS STAMPED ON CAM FM157012 2296 0199 Merc states is has lobe lift exhaust .284 intake .282 duration exhaust 209 intake 209
RPM RANGE 4200-4600 WIDE OPEN THRODLE
7 QT.OIL PAN
ADDITIONS/CHANGES/IMPROVEMENTS
ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP
MSD IGNITION SYSTEM MS6M-2
PROFESSIONAL INTAKE same as PERFORMER 1,500-5000 RANGE
Holly 780 cfm 4150 MUSCLE CAR CARB FROM TPC RACING (TY)
CURRENT JETS 77 FRONT / 82 REAR
GLENWOOD THROUGH THE HULL EXHAUST LOGS
THE BOAT IS A 78 TAYLOR SJ WITH A 12J F PUMP WITH PLACE DIVERTOR A –IMPELLER seems like a tight pump
BOAT WILL CURRENTLY GPS. AT 63 MPH. AT 4,500 RPM.
Suggestions welcome.
Thanks
if it was my eng, i personally would have some head work done...chng the valves to bigger intakes (2.19 or 2.25)...3 angle valve job...some mild porting of the intake & exhaust ports (match to gaskets)...i would run an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap manifold (dual plane)(idle to 6500rpm) with a Holley 850cfm carb jetted 80 square...i would run a CompCams 280H flat tappet cam & complete kit (cam,lifters,springs,ret & locks & timeing chain)...everything else looks pretty good...this is just my .02 cents...i'm sure u will get many other suggestions...good luck & keep us posted
fastrat

[IMPATIENT 1]

I Posted A Reply To This Over In Central But Gm Has A Hotcam For This Appilication On A Vortec 454(if Its Built After 1996 Its A Vortec) And They Run Real Good From 3k Up To @5500. The Cam Is Matched So You Won't Have To Change Springs And Such To Get The Extra Clearance.might Check It Out Or Get The Specs And Have Jegs Or Summit Match It With Something Close.if The Motor Had Injection Set-up To Begin, And You Installed The Carb,injection Cam Won't Run As Effecient.if This Mill Still Has A Injection Cam In It,then Basically Any Cam Over 500 Lift Is Goin To Help Ya If You Get A Hyd. Roller Cam With Carburetor Specs.