Get a cam designed for a carbed motor then, the EFI grinds are all compromised to provide a smooth idle at the expense of power.

 

What about the Edelbrock 2281 cam? It has .573 lift with duration of 235/238 @050. At first I will put in the new cam and as I get more money I will add the intake and 650 carb. This cam is in my price range and has the lowest rpm range that I can find without switching to a flat tappet, which I don't want to do. It's $200 plus, of course, the cost of a new timing set and gaskets so it's already adding up to over $300. I want the right cam in place when the other upgrades are ready to be made.

 

No.. that cam won't work at all, WAY to much lift for the stock springs and WAY too much duration for a truck motor. Use one of these...

Lunati 81302LUN - Lunati Street Avenger Hydraulic Roller Tappet Camshafts - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Ford Racing M-6250-E303 - Ford Racing Camshafts - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

I like the Lunati a little better because of the lower rpm range. Are there any other components to change to get better results from the cam? Will any brand timing set work with it?

 

The 81302 sounds like a good truck cam but I don't see it on Lunati site or their online catalog.

 

It looks a though Lunati doesn't offer it anymore but both Jegs and Summit have them. Summit's ebay listing shows they have five of them. I guess they're getting rid of the few they have. I believe this is the one I'm going to order when payday rolls around next week.

 

The two cams are almost identical so it probably doesn't matter what one you pick. The matching Lunati springs are a very good idea and get a Cloyes double roller timing set, otherwise the stock lifters and pushrods are fine.

 

I don't know much about cams. Why would this be too much duration for a truck motor? What would be acceptable?

 

A cam like that edelbrock shifts the powerband much further up the tach, that's fine for a light vehicle with gearing and a high stall converter but it makes for really sluggish performance in a heavy vehicle.

 

The truck is an 85 stepside 4x4 and it's not extremely heavy.


On the edelbrock, the .573/.582 lift with stock rocker ratio is too much? What is the max I can use? The Lunati you suggested before is now a little more than I have to spend. Right now I just want a decent cam in it so I can drive it.

 

Compared to a 5.0 mustang it is.


About 0.500" lift.


Then leave the stock cam in there for now.