I have a 1986 ford f-150 extended cab and long bed with a 302 in it. since I bought the truck with all original equitment in it.and 80,000 miles on it. I have been doing some upgrades on it for performance. I have put 2-1/4 daul exhaust with 22 inch glass packs and have taken the smog pump off with all attachments. The trucks runs alot better with just these to mods now im putting headers on it. the truck runs good up to 5500 rpms. I took it racing and it ran 18.07 at 75 mph through the 1/4 mile at 1900 feet ubove sea level. the truck has 3.55 gears and weights 4600 lbs with me and two tanks full of fuel. I would like to put a cam in next what would work with this engine and be happy with the computer any ideas would be nice I would like to get this truck down around the 15 sec range some day but willing to take my time to get there anyone out there have a 302 thats hopped up this is my first ford and is kinda lost on what will work on this engine.( all other trucks where chevys and my race car is a chevy camaro big block 454 that runs 11.21 at 123 mph.) thanks for any help to make my tow truck faster.

 

Congratulations!
Now that you've graduated to Ford you'll never go back, and soon you'll be wondering how you ever survived up to this point.
As far as your cam is concerned you'll have to give some serious thought as to what your primary use is going to be for this truck. Is it going to be racing or pulling? Then build toward that end.

Trail Rider

 

My "Quarter Jr." program says you'll have to make over 300 H.P. to get that much weight to run in the low 15 second time and you will probably still need to change gears and install a higher stall converter. 302s can make that much power but have to be built a little stouter than what you would want to run on the street for an everyday driver. You'd be much better off swapping in a 351W for more torque and even that engine will need more cam, intake, carburation, etc. You might consider buying a long block from Ford Motorsport. A 320 H.P. 302 can be purchased for $3,195. or get a 362-385 H.P. 351W for around $4,500.

 

to me i want to be able to run quick from about 2500 to 5500 rpms i dont have to tow very far so thats no concern to me.(weather to build for tow or go). what about the rocker arms how do they get adjusted like pontiac turn them down all the way or are they like chevy adjustable valve train
what can i do to make them adjustable like chevys?(if there not already) I was going to put rollers on the engine when i change cam.