I'am getting ready to do a re-built on a 79 F250 400. This truck is used to plow snow in Michigan so I'am after big power at low end. I was all set on Badger 9:1 but the machine shop I'am going to use said it would be a bad idea to raise the c/a on a motor for this type of use. What to you guys think??? Please do not say drop in a 460.

 

It should be just fine, don't go any higher on the compresion though, these motors came with a 8.0-8.2:1.

Good luck on the build up, let us know what your combination is.

 

Look at any Ford or GM gas engine built for heavy duty applications. They all are low compression engines. There is a reason for this.

 

In addition to the Badger pistons, get a Cloyes double roller timing set and install the crank gear at zero degrees. Then you need a good high lift camshaft.

Check out this article.

http://www.projectbronco.com/Technic...e_build_up.htm

 

Here is a great hydraulic roller camshaft. It will give you great low end torque with a dual plane intake and headers (even without). The intake valve closing angle of 76 degrees will knock that 9:1 Static Compression Ratio down to 6.5 to 1 Dynamic Compression Ratio. This is below the low end of acceptable DCR.

Series & Grind Number:
PowerMax HR-228/345-2S-12 Hydraulic Roller Dual Pattern

Part Number 529801 (Cam Only)
Suggested Retail $336.00

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Cam Specs

Degrees Duration @ .050 Int./Exh. Degrees Advertised Duration Int./Exh. Degree Lobe Separation Open/Close @.050" Cam Lift Int./Exh. Lash Hot Int./Exh. Gross Lift Int./Exh.
228
232 290
294 112 7 41
53 (1) .000
.000 .597
.609

There should be an RV type hydraulic roller with an earlier 'Advertised' IVC. I calculate about 48 degrees should be right for 9:1 CR.

 

Here is another Crane cam that should work well with 9:1 CR. It is a flat hydraulic lifter cam and much cheaper than a roller. It doesn't have as much lift as that roller, but the IVC is better at 61 degrees. The Dynamic compression ratio is 7.46:1. It will still produce a lot of low end torque, and you can probably burn 87 Octane fuel.

Part Number: 523904
Grind Number: H-260-2 (REPLACES HMV-260-2)
Engine Ident: 1970-1982 FORD-MERCURY V-8 BOSS 351-351C-
351M-400 CU.IN. SMOOTH IDLE, DAILY USAGE,
OFF ROAD, LIGHT TOWING, ECONOMY

VALVE SETTING: INTAKE .000 EXHAUST .000 ----> HOT

LIFT: INTAKE @CAM 2847 @VALVE 493 ROCKER ARM RATIO
EXHAUST @CAM 290 @VALVE 502 1.73
ALL LIFTS ARE BASED ON ZERO LASH AND THEORETICAL ROCKER ARM RATIOS

CAM TIMING OPENS CLOSES ADV DURATION
@ .004 INTAKE 19.0 BTDC 61.0 ABDC 260.0 °
TAPPET LIFT EXHAUST 69.0 BBDC 27.0 ATDC 276.0 °

SPRING REQUIREMENTS
TRIPLE DUAL OUTER INNER
PART NUMBER 99837

LOADS:
CLOSED 90 LBS @ 1.828 OR 1 53/64
OPEN 255 LBS @ 1.348
RECOMMENDED RPM
RANGE WITH MATCHING COMPONENTS
MINIMUM RPM 1500
MAXIMUM RPM 4500
VALVE FLOAT 6500

CAM TIMING OPENS CLOSES MAX LIFT DURATION
@ .050 INTAKE (5.0) ATDC 29.0 ABDC 107 °ATDC 204.0 °
TAPPET LIFT EXHAUST 44.0 BBDC (10.0) BTDC 117 °BTDC 214.0 °