i probly know the answer to this on but anyway ,I just picked up a 77 caprice w/a 83 454 can i put a new cam in without changing the cam bearings? 77,625 miles on motor it runs great but i want more power for this boat
ps i already have comp cams cam breakin addive fr
ps already have comp cams cam breakin additive for the new stick  

You should have no problem with the bearings, but definately get rid of the stock timing set. The 74 and up 454 had dished pistons and had around 7.8:1 comp ratio. To keep dynamic comp. ratio somewhat reasonable, they used a rediculously small cam in terms of duration and early intake closing point. Lift at valve was a pathetic .398IN.- .420EX.  Beware of making any drastic duration changes with the new cam pick. Look for an intake closing point of around 50deg. ABDC. The stock cam also moved the valves at a very slow rate of speed, so just by changing to a cam with greater lobe intensity, you would see a power gain. The engine most likely has peanut-port heads which will limit your powerband potential to around 4000-4500 rpm. If your lucky, it might have the large ovals. They will get you into the 5000-5500 range without any port or bowl work. Both style heads will have 121-122cc comb. chambers, so another thing you can do is go with the .020 steel shim head gaskets to raise comp. a pinch and more importantly get the quench in the .040 range. The Comp Extreme 4+4 cams CL11-231-3 would be a decent cam pick for your application.  JW.