Hamilton's most efficient cam grind. The 178/208 is a towing and daily-driver cast camshaft with short duration and a wide 109 LSA, the least valve overlap of any Hamilton cam, which is exactly what you want for towing, altitude, fuel economy, and high drive pressure. It drops EGT 200-300F.
- Duration at .050": 178 intake / 208 exhaust
- Lift: .290" intake / .310" exhaust
- RPM range: idle-4,000
- 49-state EPA compliant on 1998-2024 5.9L and 6.7L
- Hamilton has made 1,588 HP on a single S-488 with this grind
Warranty note: Hamilton only warranties their cams when run with Hamilton tappets and springs.
Fits: 1989-2018 Dodge/Ram 5.9L/6.7L Cummins, 12V and 24V. (12V is a drop-in with no more than .020" piston protrusion and at least .055" valve face depth, otherwise requires machining.)
Break-In & Install
Drop-in clearance: 12V, no more than .020" piston protrusion, at least .055" valve face depth, standard head gasket, 99 intake centerline. 24V, no more than .020" protrusion, at least .038" valve face depth, standard gasket. If you don't meet clearance, run an oversize head gasket or cut valve reliefs. Always check clearances.
We always recommend new lifters when changing a cam. Follow this break-in to protect the lobes:
- Apply a liberal amount of quality assembly lube to the camshaft.
- Do not let the engine start without oil pressure, we suggest not changing the engine oil until after the engine has been started.
- On a new engine, pack assembly lube into the oil pump and prime the oil filter so the cam gets oil fast.
- Disconnect the fuel system and crank with the starter until you read oil pressure or see oil at the rocker arms. Don't run the starter more than 10 seconds at a time.
- Once oil pressure is verified, start the engine and run it at 1,200-1,500 RPM for five minutes, then shut down.
- On a new engine, retorque the head (expect .003"-.004" more gasket crush, which changes valve lash, readjust the valves). Then you're cleared to use it.
At Full Send Diesel, we don't just sell parts. We stand behind them. Hamilton Cams machines their Cummins camshafts, valvetrain, and hard parts right here in the USA, and their commitment to performance and reliability lines up with how we build trucks.
We don't just carry Hamilton as a brand. We run their parts in our personal trucks, our in-house builds, and every giveaway truck we put together. If it's not good enough for our own trucks, it's not good enough for our customers. Hamilton Cams has earned our trust, on the street and on the dyno.
