HEY ALL,
I HAVE A 1984 351 WINDSOR I AM BUILDING TO SOMEDAY PUT TO USE IN MY 1987 RANGER, JUST KIND OF A HOT ROD RANGER, I KNOW IT WILL BE TOUGH TO DO, BUT I WILL GET THAT PART FIGURED OUT. MY QUESTION IS THIS:

WITH A COMPLETELY STOCK 351 WINDSOR MADE IN 1984, STOCK HEADS, PISTONS, ETC. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE MAX VALVE LIFT THESE ENGINES WILL TAKE WITHOUT SMACKING A PISTON? IN COMPLETELY STOCK FORM HOW MUCH VALVE LIFT CAN THESE ENGINES TAKE? I AM JUST LOOKING SO I DO NOT BUY A CAM THAT IS TOO LARGE, AND FIND OUT LATER. I KNOW THERE IS NO EXACT ANSWER, BUT JUST AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.
THANKS

 

I believe you can got up to just above .500 but not certain on that. best thing to do would be emailing compcams, or another cam manufacturer and let them know what your plans are. I believe you can run 1.6 rockers stock which would increase lift as well.

good luck

 

stock 302 valve springs only are good up to .500 lift so the 351 is probably the same. don't get a cam with a higher lift than .500 without changing your springs to aftermarket springs. but i don't know about the piston to valve clearance.

 

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES, I DID CONTACT COMP CAMS, OUR CORRESPONDANCE IS BELOW. I AM STILL KINDA WORRIED, IT SOUNDS LIKE MOST PEOPLE HERE WOULD RECOMMEND DIFFERENT SPRINGS. THIS CAM SOUNDS PRETTY WILD, ANYONE EVER RUN THIS CAM?

Justin,
You should not have any clearance issues with this cam.
Thanks, Darrel Miles

Justin Gibson wrote:

> DARREL,
> THANKS FOR YOUR HELP, MY BUDDIES HAVE ALL USED COMP CAMS WITH GOOD SUCCESS.
> MY MAIN CONCERN IS I DO WANT A BEEFY CAM, I JUST LOVE THAT SOUND, BUT THE
> ENGINE CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE ONE IN IT, SO I CANNOT CHECK HOW MUCH
> CLEARANCE I HAVE, I DO NOT WANT TO INSTALL A NEW CAM AND FIND OUT THAT IT
> WILL SMACK THE PISTON, OR THE VALVES KISS. I LIKE THE DUAL PATTERN, YOUR
> RECOMMENDATION LOOKS GREAT TO ME. TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, IN A NORMAL STOCK 351
> WINDSOR *SHOULD* THIS CAM RUN WITH NO INTERFERENCES? OF COURSE I WILL CHECK
> IT UPON INSTALL. I WILL DEFINITELY LOOK INTO A LARGER CARB AS WELL. THANKS
> >
>>
> Justin,
> Please look over the specs I've sent you & let me know what you think.
> You
> might consider a larger carb. like a 750 CFM. Let me know if I can help you
> further.
> Thanks, Darrel
> Cam Spec Card Inquiry
>
> PART NO. 35-242-3
> 01 INTAKE MASTER 5443
> 02 EXHAUST MASTER 280H-4
> 03 ENGINE FW XE268H-10
> 04 GRIND NUMBER FW XE268H-10
> INT
> EXH
>
> 05 HYDRAULIC Y/N YES 14 DUR @.050 224
> 230
>
> INTAKE EXHAUST 15 LOBE LIFT .3190
> .3200
>
> 06 VALVE ADJUSTMENT HYD HYD 16 ROCKER RATIO .00
> .00
>
> 07 MAX GROSS VALVE LIFT .510 .512
> 08 DUR @ .006 TAPPET LIFT 268 280 17 LOBE SEPARATI 110.0
> 18 ADVANCE 4
> 09 VALVE TIMING OPEN CLOSE 19 VALVE SPRINGS
> @ .006 10 INT 28 60
> 11 EXH 74 26 DATE SETUP / /
> 12 THESE SPECS ARE FOR CAM(S) INSTALLED
> @ 106.0 INTAKE CENTERLINE
>
>

 

CRZYBIKER

Well fellow I just got off the phone with comp cam. This time they told me that a XE262H was what I was looking for, last time XE256H. Oh well. Did you ask them about the use of the stock springs? I did and well, the first time my exact words were I am keeping the stock springs and he said XE256H. This time I left that out and asked for a recommendation and they said XE262H. Then I said what about stock springs and he said no, never, with an extreme energy camshaft line. So I was wondering what they might have told you. later

 

HEY JW,

THIS IS WHAT THEY TOLD ME IN REGARDS TO USING STOCK COMPONENTS:

Justin,
The stock springs should be ok. However, depending on how many miles are on
the motor, you may want to consider changing them. Also, keep in mind that if
you use other lifters other than Comp Cams lifters, you could void your warranty
if you had premature cam failure. I would consider getting the K-Kit with
everything.
Thanks, Darrel

I THINK I AM SETTLED ON THE CAM HE RECOMMENDED, I WILL PROBABLY END UP GETTING THE KIT LIKE HE SAID. THIS IS MORE OF A CAR CAM, BUT THATS WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR, I AM GOING TO SHAVE AS MUCH WEIGHT OFF THIS TRUCK AS I CAN, SO IT SHOULD RELLY HAUL.

-JUSTIN-

 

whats the rear gear ratio, you may concider going to a 3.73 or 4.10 gears to help move that boat along.

late

 

I AM RUNNING 4:11's ALREADY WITH AIR LOCKERS. THIS TRUCK ALREADY HAS A 302 WITH AN AOD TRANSMISSION, IT SURE IS A FRANKENSTEIN, BUT WHOEVER SET IT UP ACTUALLY DID A VERY GOOD JOB, THE ENGINE GRENADED, IT HAS NITROUS INJECTORS, SO I AM ASSUMING IT WAS BEING USED WHEN THE ENGINE LET LOOSED, A ROD IS LAYING IN THE OIL PAN, ITS A REBUILD I AM NOT WILLING TO UNDERTAKE WHEN I HAVE A COMPLETE WINDSOR REBUILT AND READY TO GO, JUST MISSING THE CAM. IT SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO MAKE IT ALL WORK AGAIN, BUT IT WILL BE FUN! I PICKED THE THING UP AT A GARAGE SALE FOR 800 BUCKS, I COULDN'T PASS UP A LITTLE HOTROD LIKE THAT WITH NEW PAINT AND ALL.....JUST NEEDING AN ENGINE, WHICH I HAVE. I AM GLAD I HAVE SOME PEOPLE TO TALK TO ABOUT ALL OF IT, ALL THE HELP IS APPRECIATED!

 

i did the same swap, be sure to get a flexplate from a mid 80's crown victoria that had the 351/aod setup. your 302 flexplate will not work because of a different balance weight

late

 

CRZYBIKER

They told you that stock springs where okay with a .512 lift? I asked them about the XE256 .484 lift and XE262 .500 lift and they said no way no how. I even said the springs are new less than 1000 or so miles on it, they said no. Just to give you a heads up, those cams will create valve float easily, few people mentioned it here and elsewhere. So probably a good idea, as you mentioned, to go with the K-kit. Yeah I figured due to the weight of the ranger the bigger cam would be fine or that was what they were thinking. Who are you contacting comp cam or a retailer? You might give crane cams a call, see what they tell you. later

 

yes, they said the stock springs were fine. I was talking to comp cams directly via e-mail. I may give crane a shot and see what they say. I may end up going with a milder cam, like the edelbrock, I am going to have to make up my mind I guess haha. I am new to the car engine world, I work for a custom chopper building company, and I am the guy who answers these very questions about our motorcycles, but they are two very different animals..lol. thanks again for all the help, Ill post what crane tells me.

 

OK, WELL, CRANE BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT ITS ALL UP TO ME TO CHECK AND HAVE NO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANY CAM THAT WILL WORK WITH STOCK SPRINGS (WHO CAN BLAME THEM FOR TRYING TO SELL SOME SHINEY NEW CRANE SPRINGS, BLESS THEIR HEART) SO I BASICALLY GOT NOWHERE WITH THEM, THEY JUST GAVE ME A CAM RECOMMENDATION AND SAID ITS ALL UP TO ME TO CHECK IT AFTER INSTALL. THE ONE THEY RECOMMENDED IS 272,284 DURATION .484, .512 LIFT. SO THE COMP CAMS SEEMS THE WAY TO GO TO ME, BUT THAT MAY BE BECAUSE THEY WERE MORE WILLING TO HELP. HHMMMM..?
JUSTIN

 

Makes you wonder huh? Keep in mind comp cam told me no to stock springs twice and once they said okay to a XE256 cam which has a max lift of .484. I tell you what, your post has brought on some confusion so for arguements sake, I will call them both later and see what they say again to brand new stock springs. later

 

Well CRZYBIKER I think I finally pulled an answer from crane and comp. I kept asking and finally they supplied it. This is, more or less, what both companies told me today. It all boils down to what stock type springs are being used. Some work some don't. The only way to be sure is to compress the spring to the lift required and check clearance between the coils. I was told by both companies something around .075 between each compressed coil at the required lift was acceptable, then they said the springs are only $65 so why not upgrade. Well hope this helps, I am just glad I finally got a real answer. Later

 

THANKS FOR THE FOOTWORK. I GUESS WHAT WE ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND IS THESE COMPANIES HAVE TO COVER THEIR A**ES TOO, THEY DON'T WANT TO SAY YEAH, RUN IT, AND HAVE A CUSTOMER YELLING AT THEM LATER FOR SAYING GO FOR IT. I GUESS 65 BUCKS IS CHEAP INSURANCE FOR SURE. WELL, ALL IN ALL I LIKE THE COMP CAMS PATTERNS BETTER THAN CRANE, THE CRANES SEEM TO USE THE MORE LIFT TACTIC, WHILE COMP SEEMS TO STICK MORE TO THE AGRESSIVE RAMPS AND LONG DURATIONS, WHICH IS WHAT I WANT. ANYWAY, I AM SURE YOU AND I ARE GOING TO END UP WITH TWO DIFFERENT CAMS, WE CAN LET EACHOTHER KNOW WHAT WE LIKE/DISLIKE ABOUT THEM.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND JW, AND EVERYONE.
JUSTIN