I have a 1980 ford custom with a 302w in it. Everything is pretty much still stock. I plan on changing the carb to a Holley 4barrel. Does anyone have any good suggestions on what size cam I should put in. I plan on keeping the car street but I would like some good power and good sound.

 

Considering the cam has such critical importance to the engines performance and life, to me it makes sense to use a cam grinder who will talk with you directly- even modify the cam grind to fit your needs even better and to address the possibility of cam lobe failure with the new oils. When it comes to making an engine breathe, there are so many variables including elevation, humidity, fuel blends/available octane, most cam mfgs will vary a "core grind pattern" to match the external impactors in addition to the internal impactors- which today IMHO makes the different between and engine that runs well, to one that just seems to run a little bit better, smoother and gets better mileage than expected.

With regards to price...the difference is nil- especially considering its cheap insurance to know exactly who is machining such a critical part for your engine. And remember, advertized lift/duration/lobe separation is just that- advertized and not the specific grind including ramp profile that is used on the cam.

I highly recommend Iskenderian (who I personally know to this day physically tests/inspects every single valve spring before it leaves the shop) & Crower & Chet Herbert & Lunati...all are family owned, been grinding cams for decades, and both will even re-grind your oem cam if possible- saving you even more $.

 

In that motor, with the stock heads and pressed in rocker studs, a Comp Cams 268H is your limit. Really if you want more power, you should swap in a bigger engine, like a 351W, or a 351C. Or even more like a 400 or 429/460. A 302 will never really move a big car like it should.

 

302cid and 400hp
Ford 302 V8 Engine Buildup - Hot Rod Network

 

HP doesn't move a heavy vehicle. Torque is what he needs. That 400 hp 302 makes it's peak torque somewhere north of 4000 rpms. He needs that figure down at 1500 rpms.

 

Then use a supercharger, either that or add more cubic inches..

A 351 windsor would serve him well..

 

Yea, go ahead and boost a stock 5.0 roller block and see how that turns out. That car needs a 400 at a minimum. Really would shine with a good ole fashioned 429

 

A 351 windsor is good enough to move my 6,000lb Van with authority but suddenly it's not good enough for a pickup truck, be realistic,..

And yes, a blower would be fine, overdriven it will make plenty of boost down low and he won't be spinning the motor past 3k rpm..

 

Moves it with authority ? My 96 roller GT40 headed 351W does OK in my van, but hardly with authority. The blower on a stock block 5.0 roller block is ok for the short term, but long term it's crack the block. And the guy has a 70 Ford Custom full size car. Not a pickup truck

 

I currently run a Comp cams HE252 in my daily driver 79 F100 w/ 302. Edelbrock 500 carb, Performer intake, FRPP Racing 5.0 Mustang 5.0 shorty headers, 3.0 single exhaust and Flowmaster 70 series muffler. I'm happy with the increase in power over the stock cam and 2bbl carb. I just barely crack the throttle and it will pick up speed going up hill, keeps up with traffic and accelerates pretty good when I get on it. If you're keeping the stock heads, I would recommend going with a dual pattern cam with a bit more duration and lift on the exhaust side, since the stock heads don't flow as good on the exhaust. In a heavy vehicle it's a good idea to stay on the conservative side when it comes to duration. As you increase duration, you raise the rpm for peak power and the low end power, where you spend most of the time on the street, suffers.

 

I believe Anderson's 302 is a flat tappet cam motor, not a roller.