I am freshing up mostly stock 454, flat tops, not bored, holley 750 carb and aftermarket intake.  I want a good cam for that cam sound at idle and good performance. any suggestions?  I had a crane 268 in my small block Chevelle and thought it could be slighty more.

The 268 you had in the small Chevy does have a pretty sweet sounding idle...

IMHO, if you are just looking to replace the camshaft, I would look at the entire valve train. Including timing chain and gears, Rockers, Push rods, lifters, valve springs, the whole shi bang...

If your budget can handle it, I would spend the extra coin and go roller camshaft package...If your like me, the pockets are deep enough, but they both have holes in them...


Welcome aboard this goofy place...

Some guys will be along shortly to confuse you even further. 

BTW, pictures or a lynching will follow....That's how some of these guys roll. 

GT

J/k... but seriously... put up some pics of your float, oh yeah and welcome to the site.

I'm with Crewcheif on the cam he mentioned. Kinda hard to beat the Comp 292 marine cam in a mild/medium application. Ran the 305 Solid lifter version in Moo and was very happy with it. It might make a reappearance, in fact (Long story, but I'm still not sure what this engine will look like when I get it back this week, N/A on AVgas again, or worse on E85). But you'll get the rump you want and some gianormous top end performance from them.

If I remember right, I think the 280/292 deals are right at where they recommend forged pistons, chrome moly pushrods, etc, etc. Theres quite a few on here running much bigger cams on pleasure craft, Marcsrollin, CJ222, Rivertard to name a few, but there's a LOT of hardware to back them up in those engines as well.

If you're gonna do it tho, yeah, buy the whole friggin kit, the springs and all. Will save you headache and heartache later   

Ray

Thanks everyone for the advice.  I did see the comp marine cams and was thinking of the 280 marine and getting the whole kit.  I am just wanting something mild over stock and new to the jet boat thing but always been an lover of them.  I dont have but the one pic of the Horizon and will post more as it comes along.  I know some might think Horizons are ugly but I love its classic look and there aint many around.  Thanks for the welcome and looking forward to a long time here.