I'm building a 79 351w and am not sure what cam to go with. I would like a lopey idle. just had the block bored 30, but I'm going back with stock tpye pistons because to much compression 351s have a tendency to predetinate. not sure what the comp ratio will be, but I'm sure it wont be over 9.0to1. anyway, heads will be rebuilt and ported, will have a performer intake thats been ported and polished, headers and will be running a c-4 tranny. if anyone has any suggestions, I'd like to hear them. this is my first 351w and I do know that there is no adjustment on the valves or rockers and not sure what kind of effect this has on cam selection. thanks

 

what are you using it in, and for that would make a big difference as to a cam selection, do you tow with it, rock crawling, mudding, racing etc makes a big difference in what cam you want to run, plus do you have a stall convertor higher than stock, what tires gears etc these all affect cam selection also I could give you the perfect cam selection for my truck, and it might stink in yours do to differences, but I will say I have had good luck with the comp cams xtreme energy series cams and that might be a place for you to look

 

Okay a stock 1979 351w had 8.2 cr. Non adjustable valvetrain means you have hydraulic lifters. I looked on comp cams site and thought about these 3 cams

XE262H 35-238-3
1300-5600 rpm range
262/270 advertised duration
218/224 duration at.050
.493/.500 valve lift
110 lobe seperation
Excellent response, good mid range, stock converter, 3.23-4.10 gear

x4254h 35-235-3
1200-5200
254/262
210/218
.477/.493
111
Good torque for 4x4, excellent mid range, great for rv or towing

x4262h 35-239-3
1400-5500
262/270
.493/.512
111
Good torque for 4x4 with aftermarket intake and headers, excellent mid range, works with lower gears.

 

new update on the 351w, I decided on flat top pistons instead of dish. should be 8.7:1 cr. will be running stock converter because its just for the street, 3.73 gears. in a 8.8. thanks

 

then I would run the xe262h grind number 35-238-3 I ran this grind in a 302 for a while, and it worked pretty good, had a very slight lope in the idle but pulled good all the way through with 33in tires, and 3.50 gears, just my recommendation.

 

i ran a 215/224 cam in a 351w with 69cc heads and flattops. i had no compression and 3000 miles later when i pulled the heads, i had a lot of carbon build up. now i am running a 208/214 cam and i cant believe the power. if you are going to run any more than that run 60cc heads or less to bump the compression. otherwise that nice idol will be all that 3 legged dog will have.
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i had that motor in my 79 f150 with 69cc heads and the 215/224 cam, i pulled it after the accident 3000 miles later and put on a set of 289 heads i had with 55-58 cc chambers, i turned that dog into a thumper. it was a good thumper. when i needed a motor for the 93, i pulled the cam and heads for efi and now i am back to 69cc ported heads and the comp cam. it tears.

i think the comp cam number was 35-300-8

also torqe converter+cam(compression+breathing+gearing)=drivi ng range. have to think of all three in the plan for power.