camshafts
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camshafts
so I have a 78 f-150 that I have been doing some body work on the bed of the truck. and will be painting it this spring. but I was wanting to do a few other things to the truck also. I would like to put in a little bit hotter cam. but nothing to wild just something to give the truck a little bit more power for towing trailers and things like that. i would be towing my atv trailer and maybe some day a 26 foot camp trailer. so what would be a good aftermarket camshaft for that? thanks in advance guys.
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From: Suburbs of Chicago
What engine do you have in your truck? If people give you camshaft specs I can throw em in desktop dyno if you'd like.
For my DD/toy hauler/weekend wheeler with a 400, I'm going with a Lunati product, don't know if it'll be the HI-260 or the HI-268. Projected numbers are 400+ ftlbs and a little under 300 hp. Redline is a truck redline haha
For my DD/toy hauler/weekend wheeler with a 400, I'm going with a Lunati product, don't know if it'll be the HI-260 or the HI-268. Projected numbers are 400+ ftlbs and a little under 300 hp. Redline is a truck redline haha
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my truck has the 351m in it. i would like to get a cam that comes in a kit along with the new rockers pushrods and lifters if possible cause than I will know that I have all the right parts to install the new cam. I will probably be installing a new distributor also in the future.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: New Albany, MS
Slap an RV cam and lifter set in it, and match it with a straight up timing set. That should make the truck very fun and powerful. I have seen many people go this route with much success, and as wyckedcombo17 said, Lunati makes a good cam for this.
Disclaimer: I am no engine expert, I just tinker here and there so these suggestions are by no means written in stone.
Disclaimer: I am no engine expert, I just tinker here and there so these suggestions are by no means written in stone.
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Invest in updating your rear axle with a fresh set of gears before you spend money on the engine, that is what I would do if I were gonna tow with it.
What tranny and axle ratio are you running now?
You would probably be better served by gearing the rear for a bit more grunt and leave the cam pretty mild. You don't want to get on the highway and not be able to make decent RPM's at cruise speed. I think you get better performance with a balanced rear/cam than going extreme on one or the other.
Lunati is a good company = just purchased a retro-roller kit for my '78. I would probably go 3.55:1 in rear and run something like:
Voodoo Hyd Cam - Ford 351C-400M 256/262 - Lunati Power
I use Race-Mart in Florida for parts because they give discounts if you sign up at the site for an account. You may have someone else you prefer.
Cheers...
Nate
What tranny and axle ratio are you running now?
You would probably be better served by gearing the rear for a bit more grunt and leave the cam pretty mild. You don't want to get on the highway and not be able to make decent RPM's at cruise speed. I think you get better performance with a balanced rear/cam than going extreme on one or the other.
Lunati is a good company = just purchased a retro-roller kit for my '78. I would probably go 3.55:1 in rear and run something like:
Voodoo Hyd Cam - Ford 351C-400M 256/262 - Lunati Power
I use Race-Mart in Florida for parts because they give discounts if you sign up at the site for an account. You may have someone else you prefer.
Cheers...
Nate
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From: Schweinfurt Germany
I would look into K33-222-3 from comp cams it is a complete kit with everything from the cam to the timing chain and gears.
COMP Cams K33-222-3 - COMP Cams High Energy Cam and Lifter Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
COMP Cams K33-222-3 - COMP Cams High Energy Cam and Lifter Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
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the tranny is the c-6 as for the gear ratio in the rear end i'm not sure i would have to look at the tag again. i forget what gears are in it.
ok I went and looked and as far as I can tell the tag on the rearend says that it has 3.25 gears in it. i hope that sounds right.
ok I went and looked and as far as I can tell the tag on the rearend says that it has 3.25 gears in it. i hope that sounds right.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Arlington,Wa
Speaking from experience, I strongly believe the Comp Cam kit Mr.Taterness mentioned would be an excellent choice. Maybe even go up one more to the 268 cam. THAT is the beez neez!! Hoping your going to put on the Edelbrock intake and a 4BBL carb too. Your gear ratio is slightly on the high side.....Im running 3:50 gears and have no complaints.
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Basically general consensus is 260-270 for duration. What are your other plans for the engine besides the 4bbl and intake and possible dizzy?
If you add a straight up timing kit you'll really be happy. Plus then you wont risk an old timing chain breaking on you.
IMHO, I hope that intake you're planning on putting on isn't an airgap. That'll hurt streetablility and be a royal princess in the winter time. What 4bbl intake do you have on it right now?
If you add a straight up timing kit you'll really be happy. Plus then you wont risk an old timing chain breaking on you.
IMHO, I hope that intake you're planning on putting on isn't an airgap. That'll hurt streetablility and be a royal princess in the winter time. What 4bbl intake do you have on it right now?
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my other plans for the engine is to go to a tbi fuel injection system. and then get a edelbrock intake manifold for it probably a performer series one. the intake manifold that I have on the truck now is just the stock 2 barrel manifold thanks came on the truck? then later on if I can ever afford it i would really like to put different heads on the engine and raise the compression ratio a little bit but not much.
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From: North Georgia, Cherokee
Don't bother with 351c 2v heads, they are already on your engine. If you want different heads, go for the aussie 302 head. The best cast head for this engine, keeps canted valve arrangement, but with a closed combustion chamber, vs stock open. Closed design allows for proper quench and cooling of the piston to allow greater cr with out introducing detonation. To use these heads, piston swap is a must, but if your already replacing the top end of the engine, you should go through the entire engine, components wear at similar rates, a new valve job on worn rings will introduce greater blow-by.
On any Cleveland engine, a dual profile cam is a must due to the extremely restrictive exhaust ports. You want to let it breath out the exhaust.
The greater the duration the higher rpm's needed to make power... not a real good recipe in a truck.
If you want more advice give Tim Meyer a call.
507.238.4141
TMeyer, Inc. Precision Automotive Machining
On any Cleveland engine, a dual profile cam is a must due to the extremely restrictive exhaust ports. You want to let it breath out the exhaust.
The greater the duration the higher rpm's needed to make power... not a real good recipe in a truck.
If you want more advice give Tim Meyer a call.
507.238.4141
TMeyer, Inc. Precision Automotive Machining