Camshaft Help
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Camshaft Help
I have a 1973 Ford f100 4x4 and i want to put a bigger cam into the stock 390. it has stock heads,stock manifolds,stock everything. and i am now starting at looking at adding horsepower, i will probably be running 33 inch tires, i need help finding a good rv cam, just somthing that will give me more hp and torque, and what else should i be looking into for adding horsepower?
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,481
Likes: 2,801
Headers and pistons.
Your stock manifolds are very restrictive.
Your stock pistons were designed for the 410, and on top of a 390 crank and rod, they sit about .100 below the deck at TDC, resulting in low compression and all that goes with it. A lumpy cam can make this worse.
After that, more carb, and a better intake manifold.
Then heads.
Your stock manifolds are very restrictive.
Your stock pistons were designed for the 410, and on top of a 390 crank and rod, they sit about .100 below the deck at TDC, resulting in low compression and all that goes with it. A lumpy cam can make this worse.
After that, more carb, and a better intake manifold.
Then heads.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,481
Likes: 2,801
Start with headers.
You can move up to a 4bbl manifold and 600 CFM 4bbl. You can look down the threads in this forum for several manifold threads. S or T iron Ford, or Performer RPM seems to be the top choices, but look for yourself.
If that isn't enough, depending on the overall condition of the engine, you might consider pistons and a cam.
Once you do all this extra power stuff, especially a cam, the wear on the engine will start to show up big time in added blow by, oil consumption etc if the engine is high miles or otherwise nearly worn out.
You can keep the stock crank and rods, just get pistons that reach up a little more. (approx 1.76 compression height, vs. the 1.6 something of the 410 spec slug)
You can move up to a 4bbl manifold and 600 CFM 4bbl. You can look down the threads in this forum for several manifold threads. S or T iron Ford, or Performer RPM seems to be the top choices, but look for yourself.
If that isn't enough, depending on the overall condition of the engine, you might consider pistons and a cam.
Once you do all this extra power stuff, especially a cam, the wear on the engine will start to show up big time in added blow by, oil consumption etc if the engine is high miles or otherwise nearly worn out.
You can keep the stock crank and rods, just get pistons that reach up a little more. (approx 1.76 compression height, vs. the 1.6 something of the 410 spec slug)
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Here's what I would do: replace the stock box manifolds with headers, replace the stock cam with a Comp Cams 268H or one of the generic 204/215 (advertised duration) cams You can add cheap HP by simply replacing the stock 2 bbl carb with a Holley 500 cfm 2 bbl. This carb works great on a 390. Ne need to rebuild and replace the pistons with cams such as I listed, unless it just needs to be rebuilt. (that's if it hasn't been done already, not many 40 year old engines have not been)
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Should I get the 260h cam or the 268H cam? If I spend $200 dollars and put in the work for a cam I want it to give me more torque whithout it performing crappy . So would it be better for me to just get the 268h? Or the 260h?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
The 260H is pretty much a "stock" replacement cam, if you plan for any improvements to your 390, i.e. headers, carb, intake, etc. you'll be much happier with the 268H.....maybe even the 270H depending on what your C/R is.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
From: Mayfield, KY
Are you running automatic tranny? The 270H will work with stock torque converter but I am betting if you pull much weight you will not like it. If you run a small 268 style then I think you will be impressed with torque and horsepower gains. Heck, just bolting up a set of headers and changing to a 4 barrel carb and intake will make you smile.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
One thing that comes with Power is buying the higher octane gas. 
You don't get your cake & coffee at the pump together okay.
Me, I went with lower compression 8.7 pistons and added the 410/428 crank to make up for the lower compression loss. And run the $345-$5.65 cheap 87 octane grade gas when Calif. is at it's peak prices...
Add some long tube headers with 2.5 pipes with high flow mufflers. Hotter
dizzy Ign. system 4-barrel intake manifold & carb. A comp cam 268H is all good stuff. And not so much to make a big injury to your wallet too say.
Yes after adding this stuff you can now say, I have some ***** in this beast.
orich
You don't get your cake & coffee at the pump together okay.
Me, I went with lower compression 8.7 pistons and added the 410/428 crank to make up for the lower compression loss. And run the $345-$5.65 cheap 87 octane grade gas when Calif. is at it's peak prices...
Add some long tube headers with 2.5 pipes with high flow mufflers. Hotter
dizzy Ign. system 4-barrel intake manifold & carb. A comp cam 268H is all good stuff. And not so much to make a big injury to your wallet too say.
Yes after adding this stuff you can now say, I have some ***** in this beast.
orich
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
From: Mayfield, KY
Lol at cheap gas prices. I remember when I was racing I thought $3.00 a gallon aviation fuel was ridiculous. I will be staying on the low side of compression as well. At least with that 4 speed you don't have to worry about running a small torque converter and the heat that builds up. Orich makes excellent points for street ability with muscle.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jonezzzman
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
10
Jul 31, 2013 10:22 AM
dslman1
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
7
May 12, 2010 04:33 PM
saleen065
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
8
Jul 7, 2008 06:49 PM
truckjunky87
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
1
Mar 9, 2005 09:48 AM
Chewievette
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
11
Oct 24, 2004 09:55 PM