351w build 97 roller
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2012
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351w build 97 roller
I have a good 97 351w roller bottom end that I'm putting new rings and bearings in. It's also being converted to carb. I'm thinking of getting a set of afr 185s, a weiand stealth intake, and possibly a 600 holley with vacuum secondaries. I'm going for mostly low to mid range power. How would it preform with the factory cam in it? I was looking at a few comp cams but they specifically said not for roller engines on their website. Anyone have a recommendation for a cam in the 1000-5500 rpm range? Will the factory dished pistons clear the 185s larger valves? Any recommendation on the combustion chamber size I should get? I'll probably run ethanol free 93 octane but may have to run 91 due to availability in some areas.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2012
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Any idea why they would say their cams are for non factory roller engines though? Seems odd to me. Was there maybe different bearing sizes or something making them not work? I may possibly stay with the e7 heads still if I port them. I'm only looking for around 300-350hp and from what I've read that's obtainable through worked e7s.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
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From: Shreveport, LA
I see what you mean; it does state this. "For Engines That DID NOT Come From The Factory With Hydraulic Roller Cams" What they are referring to is older non-roller blocks which weren't made near as many years as the 5.0L blocks. Those cams are ground on a reduced base circle to retro-fit a roller cam into a non-roller block. Don't use those.
I would choose from the hydraulic roller section of the 5.0L section. They have the same firing order. 13726548. as the 351W. There aren't any other differences as far as I know.
Unless you plan on porting them yourself, the E7's may end up costing more than an out of the box head. If you want to stay with a factory head, look for a set of '96 or '97 *I think* Explorer head which are the GT40 3-bar heads.
I would choose from the hydraulic roller section of the 5.0L section. They have the same firing order. 13726548. as the 351W. There aren't any other differences as far as I know.
Unless you plan on porting them yourself, the E7's may end up costing more than an out of the box head. If you want to stay with a factory head, look for a set of '96 or '97 *I think* Explorer head which are the GT40 3-bar heads.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Chicago area
A low rpm 351 build should get the GT40 heads at the very least! If you want to go cheap on a cam you can source a cam from one of the "performance" 5.0's. The standard Mustang V8 will give more power then the stock 351 cam. Another cam is that which came in the V8 TBirds in the early-90's and of course the "Cobra" 5.0. That cam is a very good OEM cam to put into a 351. What you save by using a "stock" Ford cam you can put into buying a set of 1.7 roller rockers that will add a little more lift and power.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
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From: Shreveport, LA
Good points. The 5.0L cam actually has a little more duration than the Cobra cam but it has a little more lift. So like you said a 5.0 cam with 1.7 rockers would a good cheap upgrade. Also, check for someone swapping cams in a Mustang for an upgrade, some of those cams can be had for a good price. Like check Craigslist or similar.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Only of you really know what you're doing, the average guy doing one of his first ever porting jobs isn't gonna get close to that. GT40 heads flow 25% better as cast and that is enough to break 300hp with sufficient cam.. which is something like the 5.0HO cam with 1.7 rockers.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2012
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What about the stock cam with 185s or 165s, 1.7 roller rockers, and headers. Was just reading a car craft article where they got 405hp/380 torque with a stock 302 short block, stock cam, 165s, 1.7s headers and intake. I don't really need even that much. I may try that route and change a cam later.
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Mountain Pass
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I may find a set of gt40 heads at the local junkyard. For 35$ each I may just see how I like it before I go dumping 1500 in it. And then I can always work up from something if I get bored. I know they have gt40p explorers there and if I end up going that route I don't mind. The headers aren't that much more expensive than standard. I guess that's the good thing about starting with nothing.