Hi, All--

I am a "newbie" to this site, and have just initiated a new project; what I am planning to do is to build up a 385-series engine (don't know what size yet--haven't decided), and install it into my Lincoln Mark VIII.

The 4.6L DOHC engine that came in it is too puny for my tastes--even naturally aspirated, I would make MORE power with a 385-series engine than I would with a built-up, supercharged 4.6L DOHC, so I figured that since the engine external dimensions are so close, I would just install a 385-series engine in it's place.

Originally, I was going to build a 408 stroker and adapt the engine electronics to it so that it would work with the EEC-V computer system (I actually already have all the parts for this), but since I can do that just as easily with a 460/514 (I would have to use the Ford EDIS system and adapt it to the 408 anyway, so I'd just do that with the 385-series engine instead), I figured I'd just go for broke here!

I really would like to use a hydraulic roller cam, but I would rather not have to resort to installing a "retro kit", with a smaller base-circle camshaft, if at all possible.

I've already researched the engine dimensions, including the weight (with aluminum heads, I think they would be pretty close), what I would need to do to install the engine in the chassis, adapt it to the existing electronics, and even what I would need to do to adapt the 4R70W transmission to it, so I'm well on my way here . . .

So, the only real question is this: Were there ANY stock 460/7.5L blocks that ever came with either a roller hydraulic cam or the provisions for it from the factory?

If not, that's fine--I'll just get any old "good" used block and go with the "retro kit", or I'll just buy a crate engine somewhere.

If so, I'll just start tracking down the correct block, and then start getting parts for it, and then I'll put one of these bad boys together!

 

Retrofit kits are not necessary with the 429/460. Aftermarket roller cams are available in stock bearing dimensions with no machining required. If you get the right heads all you'll need are some pushrod guides (available from several sources) and adjustable rocker arms (also available from several sources).

Brad

 

Hi, Brad--

Thanks for the response; I've been doing a little more research, and have found that apparently only ONE cam manufacturer even MAKES a Hydraulic Roller for this engine--Crane, and they only have THREE grinds available.

I have also seen some posts on some Car magazines (can't remember which one for sure), but they used hydraulic rollers on a SOLID roller camshaft.
I'm not sure I would want to use that combination, due to the differences in the ramps, but I might have to either do that or get a custom grind if I don't like the three grinds that Crane has.

 

Solid roller ramps and hyd roller ramp profiles are pretty similar until you get into the mega grinds. The Crane hyd roller pieces are pretty good - they consistenly get the best numbers on Desktop Dyno and generate significantly better numbers than flat-tapped hydraulic cams. The mild roller grind (311-2S-12) consistently makes low-end torque like there's no tomorrow. The middle grind (325-2S-12) comes into it's own with some of the 520+ ci strokers running around. We're talking 700-plus HP and 650-plus lb-ft torque in some cases with the more impressive builds (at 5500-6000 RPM). The big hyd roller grind (345-2S-14) would probably only be applicable if you were running at the track. It shifts the torque and HP peaks well beyond what would be considered streetable.

Just to illustrate, here's a 533 combo (.080 over with a 4.3 stroker crank) running out-of-the-box Ford Motorsport SCJ heads, 11.0:1 CR, a 900 CFM carb on a single plane intake, the 325-2S-12 cam (the "middle" cam), and headers with 2.5" primaries.

RPM HP / Torque
2000 227 / 597
2500 304 / 639
3000 379 / 664
3500 457 / 686
4000 537 / 705
4500 617 / 719
5000 679 / 713
5500 724 / 691
6000 740 / 648
6500 734 / 593
7000 702 / 526

11:1 CR would be too high with iron heads or a small cam. You can get away with this kind of CR on this combo because the cam overlap will bleed down the cylinder pressure a bit, and the aluminum heads are not as bad about hot spots in the cylinder.

Brad