Mild 390 cam choices
#1
02-27-2019, 04:29 PM
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Southeast Missouri
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Mild 390 cam choices
I know this has been brought up 1000 times but my situation is a little different so I’m going to ask your guys opinion. I’ve been trying to get my 71 f-250 4x4 on the road for a few years now and just as I thought I was almost there I discovered cyl 3 exhaust valve isn’t opening and I’ve got metallic oil. I’m assuming that the can wiped a lobe. So now I’m looking at cam choices and I need some opinions on what I should get. The current set up is a 2bbl carb, headers, np435, 4.10 axles and about 33” tires. So here is where my situation is a little different, I want to keep the 2bbl (and valve springs) for now but plan on going to a 4bbl and about 35’s when I get more money saved up. I want a little bit of a lope but at the same time I don’t want to give up much low end power or over-cam the 2bbl. I’ve looked through the forums and I think a duel pattern cam is probably the way to go. Based of my research I’m thinking about a Comp cams 255DEH or a Comp cams 265DEH. Let me hear your opinions on these cams or others. I’m not a cam expert at all
#4
02-28-2019, 03:18 AM
#6
02-28-2019, 09:22 PM
Do yourself a MASSIVE favor and DONT buy an off the shelf cam. Get one from a company called Cam Research. Give them a call, tell them what you want, and they'll get you EXACTLY what you need. They're usually about the same price as an off the shelf cam. They're all that i'll use anymore, i personally have built a couple engines with them and know a bunch of guys who have built engines with them too. Everyone has loved them. Just my $0.02.
#7
03-01-2019, 02:29 AM
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I don’t have a problem with using new springs except I’m tired of this thing sitting and I want to drive it but I’m on s budget st the same time. Does anyone here have a 255 or 265 in their 390? So if I go with a 255 will it be on the small side later when I upgrade to a 4bbl and will it have a noticeable idle?
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#8
03-01-2019, 10:05 AM
Logistics Pro
per specs of 255deh stock springs can not be used .(note 7)
Complete K-KitK33-206-3Small SK-KitSK33-206-3 [7]Cam & Lifter Kit CL-KitCL33-206-3 [7]Lifter Kit834-16Timing Set3208 / 2108Rocker Arms1046-KIT [40] / 1046HD-KIT [69]Push Rods7833-1662 / 7533-16Valve Springs940-16 / 926-16Steel Retainers744-16 [3] / 747-16 [3]Valve Locks603-16 / 612-16Valve Seals504-16 / 505-16 [2]Camshaft Break-In Lube159
Installation Notes (These notes apply to the above recommended components with the trailing installation note numbers)NoteDescription2[2] Requires machining on cylinder heads.3[3] Standard weight and lightweight retainers7[7] Stock springs cannot be used.40[40] Includes special shafts.69[69] Includes special rockers & shafts part #1047-2.
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#10
03-01-2019, 11:17 PM
At the time of my rebuilt I wanted a cam the shop ordered the comp cam 265 DE it came with the springs and spring dampeners it was the biggest cam for the truck heads suggested you can hear the lope when it's cold but when warmed up sounds like a stock v8 as far as power it's a low end to mid range cam about 1500 you can feel the acceleration from the cam at least I do . Only complaint they did not rebuild or use rebuilt rocker arms not the cams fault it smokes the tires with a 350 cfm hollyv2bbl
I'm Happy with it .
I'm Happy with it .
#11
03-02-2019, 11:21 PM
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#12
03-02-2019, 11:27 PM
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At the time of my rebuilt I wanted a cam the shop ordered the comp cam 265 DE it came with the springs and spring dampeners it was the biggest cam for the truck heads suggested you can hear the lope when it's cold but when warmed up sounds like a stock v8 as far as power it's a low end to mid range cam about 1500 you can feel the acceleration from the cam at least I do . Only complaint they did not rebuild or use rebuilt rocker arms not the cams fault it smokes the tires with a 350 cfm hollyv2bbl
I'm Happy with it .
I'm Happy with it .
#14
03-05-2019, 09:37 PM
As far as losing low end a DE cam is designed for low to mid range I think it said 1800 to 2,500 that's the zone although if I remember right so it's a torquey cam and a peppy cam at take off and getting you onto the fwy passing gear . I'm no cam expert I notice the truck is fast at take off and getting say up to 2000,3000,rpm I was suprised how fast it takes off .....
#15
03-05-2019, 10:30 PM
!!AS I SAID, CALL CAM RESEARCH, THEY WILL GET YOU THE RIGHT CAM THE FIRST TIME AND THEY'LL EVEN BREAK IT IN FOR YOU!! Sorry for the all caps.... Anyways, you will never use another off the shelf cam once you go with a cam research cam. They are not really any more expensive than a good off the shelf cam like a comp....
