i have a 1991 f150 5.0 speed denisty motor and need help in finding a mild to choppy idle cam or the best proformance cam i can use with out having issues with computer and tuning being messed up and also how do i know if its roller or not

 

You should have a flat tappet cam. I don't believe the 5.0 went roller in the F series or Bronco until 94.

 

The 91 will be flat tappet , if you want to go to a roller cam you need to find a 302 HO , or a 94 + truck motor , you can get the spider retainer , dog bones , roller lifters , out of one of those . The HO cam with 1.7 rockers with work with SD , you would also need the distributor or the steel gear for the roller cam , or just stay flat tappet , i like roller cams....Lew

 

Forgetaboutit.. a cam that produces a choppy idle and speed density are not compatable. There are several upgrade cam options for these trucks but they will all produce a smooth stock like idle. The cheapest option for you is the Comp cams 31-255-5 flat tappet cam and lifter kit, your motor should be roller ready so you could potentially swap in a roller cam but the cam alone will cost double what the flat tappet kit does and you still have to buy roller lifters, pushrods, and the spider and dogbones retainer assembly.

 

My '92 truck 302 was roller from the factory.... Just an FYI.

 

Yep.. they started appearing in the '92 model year in the 5.0 but not until '94 in the 5.8.

 

might be a stupid question but how do you tell if you have a roller cam or a flat cam? I have a 92 and was going to look into cams for it but know im not sure what i have.

 

You will have to pull the drivers side valve cover off and put a light down the front pushrod hole, if you see a dogbone around the lifter you have a roller cam. See pic below, the dogones are the fork looking things around the lifter body.

 

the dog bones are the things holding the lifters in and the windage tray is holding them down?

 

The dog bones keep the lifters from turning , the retainer ( not a windage tray ) keeps the dog bones in place , roller lifters can not turn in the bore like a flat tappet cam because of the roller ,....

 

well guys turns out my motor is a roller motor, with a 1991 intake and plenuium and fuel injectors now i just need to pick a good cam out that wont mess up my computer.

 

thanks for the info lew that makes sense

 

In that case I'd suggest the Comp 35-512-8 roller cam.

 

Can you find a roller 5.0, like a 1992 5.0, and use those parts to make a roller 351w? Or do you just have to get a F4 351w block?