Skip to main content

Reply to "Cam Help Needed"

You need to decide on what the nature of the engine should be to pick a cam.

Those heads became the heads of choice in "ultimate performance" in the 1990's era. Hall was aware of that.



If I am understanding the cam specs that you have now, I would say that the issue is you expect more out of the engine and it is too mild.

The cam that you have really is too mild for those heads potential.



You have really three choices. A hydraulic roller lifter cam, a hydraulic flat lifter cam (like you have) or a solid flat lifter cam (like I have).



IF you were building an engine to maximize the engines potential, then what you want to do is match the cams characteristics to the measured flow of the heads.

I can't predict how you would react to the operating characteristics of any cam that you would pick and install. That is always a personal reaction.

It can be additional disappointment in performance or shock at the seemingly radical nature of the idle and power curve it has.



My personal preference is a solid flat lifter cam. Others here strongly disagree. That's ok with me since there is such a variation in interpretation of great/terrible idle characteristics.



Generally speaking, judging by the power potential of those heads, I'd say a minimum  of a .580" lift, 237°@ .050", 110° ground centerline, and around a 60° overlap.

The debate over the ground centerlines of either 110° or 113° is with the original 4v iron heads because of the lousy compromised exhaust ports.

The Ford Mororsport (now called Ford Racing) aluminum "high-port heads LIKE YOU HAVE corrected that to a great extent. Using a 113° with them is circumventing the head design improvement.



Also in most cases, those C302B heads are full race heads. Period. That means a designed intended use for flat out racing so that really means intended potential of up to and beyond 8,000 rpm.

IF that is YOUR intended potential application, you need to go to a solid lifter cam.



I am using the A3 aluminum heads which are just a larger intake port size of the "high port Ford aluminum head family", of which the C302B head is a family member.

I am using this cam,

https://www.compcams.com/magnu...-351c-351m-400m.html



You may find one step calmer as more liveable, such as something like this,

https://www.compcams.com/magnu...-351c-351m-400m.html



I find MODERN solid lifter cams easier to adjust then high performance hydraulic anti-pump up lifter valve trains to adjust. Many would say that goes against conventional thinking but that is just my experience.



There are special custom grind hydraulic roller lifter camshafts being used and many are very happy with them but they are being ground on 113° centerlines which is an accommodation for the original 4v iron heads. You are not using those.



So as with any camshaft selection there are compromises, pitfalls and unexpected consequences often. What is acceptable is ultimately up to you.

Some of the choices are just risk analysis  which is up to you as well. Nothing is 100% foolproof.



Also, I don't think that you mentioned what intake manifold you are using?

Those look like the Compcams stainless steel roller rocker arms. If they are in good condition, leave them alone. Look at your push rods for wear and issues.



Good luck in you choices.

Last edited by panteradoug
×
×
×
×