How does this engine stock match up against a stock 1985 carb flat tappet cam engine? Are the cams relatively the same spec wise (lift, duration, lobe separation) just has rollers?

Would this engine get much more power with just aftermarket heads, intake, and headers? Or is the best effort to change the cam out.

I would like to build a carbed roller engine. Not looking to race just want a streetable engine with plenty of power. I've found this engine online with coolant leaking heads on it and figure I could get some aftermarket heads (1.940" intake valve 1.600" exhaust to keep factory pistons) and put my edelbrock performer air gap intake and Holley 600 carb on top. I'd rather not have to purchase a new expensive roller cam but would it all be worth it with the stock cam?

 

No, the '85 motor is low compression with heavily dished pistons and the heads have massive chambers, and if it's a 2bbl motor the cam us tiny. The '96 motor has higher compression and the stock roller cam is pretty good for a 0-4500rpm type build but it could use the assistance of 1.7 rockers.

Yes, should break 300hp without much problem.

 

Awesome that's exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks

 

It'll bolt up to the C6 right? Not sure if bolt patterns changed over time for the overdrive transmission

 

No changes to the bellhousing pattern/size/etc. plug-n-play

 

The 351W roller am specs out like this: 256/266* advertised duration, .422/.445 lift with 1.6 rockers, add .030 for 1.7's LSA is 116.5 Just a tad less cam than the 5.0 HO grind on the intake side and 10-20* less duration, depending on where you find the HO specs listed. Just don't get too wild on a buildup with the roller block. They apparently have problems cracking between the main and cam journals.

 

Thanks for the info it's greatly appreciated. Not going too crazy with it and not looking to spend much. Just need a new engine for my daily driver and wanted more power than the smog motor has.

looking into the RHS pro action heads 200cc 58cc combustion chamber. 1.7 rockers hopefully can be found cheap enough. Then swap on my intake and carb.

 

You really won't need the 1.7's with the bigger heads.

 

200cc is a bit large for a mild build and I think you have to buy the 160cc version to get 1.94/1.60 valves, these smaller ports will produce better torque too.

 

I was thinking the 200cc in case I ever go with a bigger cam but if not needed then I'll stay with you recommendations. On the RHS website they say their pro action heads with 200cc runner have 1.94/1.60

 

You can probably get a number of different runner/valve and chamber size combinations but that would be an unusual one that doesn't make a lot of sense, why build a head with big time airflow potential and then put undersized valves in it.
The 160cc head will make for a more streetable motor with the stock cam but if you want to built in some additional future upgrade potential them maybe split the difference and select the 180cc head.
Just to put things into perspective, the exhaust ports on the 180cc RHS heads flow more than the intake ports on the stock Ford head, to say these would be an upgrade is the understatement of the year.

 

Will the 180cc heads still work well with the stock cam for a daily driver? Or would that be too much as well?

 

Yes I think they will work acceptably well, if this were a 5.0 not so much but with the added displacement I think you'll be OK. Go for the smaller combustion chambers as well to boost compression a bit, this motor has 8.8:1 CR with the stock heads(64cc chambers) so 58cc will put it in the 9.2-9.3 range which is still fine for pump gas.

 

Sounds good. I appreciate all the help. Going to pick up the engine this weekend hopefully and then that Christmas bonus can't come soon enough.

 

If I was to add in doing a new camshaft are there any recommendations? Also I like the idea of the added insurance of a main cap girdle. Would that be unnecessary or a good idea.

Im not trying to make huge horsepower or racing it's just a truck, but I figure if I have the engine apart then what is worth doing to make it right the first time.

So far my plan is stock block, crank, pistons. I have a Holley 600cfm carb, edelbrock performer air gap intake, looking into RHS pro action heads 180cc 1.94 1.6 valves. Camshaft?