Notices

intake swap/cam

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 21, 2004 | 12:23 PM
  #1  
highrider76's Avatar
highrider76
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
intake swap/cam

I have 76 f250 with 2bbl intake. I bought a performer intake and am going to swap it onto the 390. I have a couple of questions. I figure the original cam is prolly getting a little worn so am considering swapping in the eldelbrock cam to match the intake.
I dont want to pull the engine so can i get by with the old cam bearings and if i have to can i replace the cam brearings without pulling the engine or getting into the bottom end.
Another isssue that crossed my mind is will the intake port on the head match the intake runners. Can i port match the heads without pulling them. I i cant match them what issues will i see with the size difference (economy and power).
the reason i go to a 4bbl is to help economy and help uphill excelleration
highrider
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2004 | 12:45 PM
  #2  
ford390gashog's Avatar
ford390gashog
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Club FTE Gold Member
the cam bearings should be fine you will need new lifters and carb to match the cam and vlave springs to match the lift of the cam

the timing chain should also be replaced
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2004 | 12:49 PM
  #3  
CrazyAirman's Avatar
CrazyAirman
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 686
Likes: 1
From: Edgewood, Wa
If it is the regular Performer, you wont have any port issues with it, it will line up and work just fine. But I think that I would look at other cam profiles before you settle on the edelbrock grind. Crane makes a few great torque cams, the 901 is great in an otherwise stock motor. Some guys are running Comp cams as well, with great results. I have heard (and looking at the numbers I agree) that the Edel grind is just a bit too whimpy.
Now, if its a Performer RPM , thats a whole different story....
Rusty70F100 can enlighten you on what steps he took to make that manifold work well, as there is a port match issue. I have one in the box, and am not looking forward to pulling heads on an awesome running engine, just so I can run a manifold that I dont really need....sigh.....
 

Last edited by CrazyAirman; Nov 21, 2004 at 12:53 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2004 | 01:45 PM
  #4  
rusty70f100's Avatar
rusty70f100
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Basically to get the RPM to work right on the stock heads you need to get a die grinder and stone set (cheap) and radius the intake port opening on the head to match the intake manifold. Use a gasket and match it to that. You need to pull the heads to do this, otherwise all the little metal shavings / dust will get in the cylinders and score cylinder walls. Not good.

If you dont port match 'em you'll lose a lot of flow and most of your high end power. It'll be worse than the stock intake at that point.

I'd reconsider on that edelbrock cam. It's way too mild. I recommend the Crane 343901.

You shouldn't need to replace cam bearings if you've still got good oil pressure. And even if you dont, it's probably not from the cam bearings. Just make sure you use plenty of the supplied moly lube on the cam, and follow the breakin procedure. 1500 - 2500rpm, slowly varying, for 30 minutes. Do not let it idle AT ALL for the first 30 minutes with the new cam.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2004 | 02:02 PM
  #5  
highrider76's Avatar
highrider76
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
fuel mileage

thanks for answering my questions the crane cam sounds great but will the slightly more agressive cam hurt my fuel milage also with these miild cams cant i get by with stock valvesprings i dont plan on reving the engin much over 5 grand so valve float shouldnt be too much of an issue
 

Last edited by highrider76; Nov 21, 2004 at 02:05 PM. Reason: omission
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2004 | 02:23 PM
  #6  
CrazyAirman's Avatar
CrazyAirman
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 686
Likes: 1
From: Edgewood, Wa
The Crane 901 runs just fine with stock springs, but it is probably the highest lift you can get away with on stock springs, that are in good condition. If this is a high mileage motor, you *may* want to consider replacing them. as far as mileage concerns, you should see a little increase, but alas, with more power comes a heavier foot, so that in it self is a limiting factor.....
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2004 | 02:38 PM
  #7  
highrider76's Avatar
highrider76
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
i looked on cranes website and notices that power starts at 1500 and that the edelbrock cam starts at idle. i need as much off idle power as possible as this truck is used on the farm to pull grain wagons every fall
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2004 | 02:41 PM
  #8  
highrider76's Avatar
highrider76
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
if only my truck had a three pt hitch and pto who needs tractors!!!!!!
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 21, 2004 | 04:48 PM
  #9  
rusty70f100's Avatar
rusty70f100
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
I wouldn't worry about the 901 not having power off idle. It really is a mild cam. However, if you need that last bit of low end torque, the Crane 343971 is the one to get.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
highrider76
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
16
Nov 2, 2014 10:15 PM
dtherren
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
4
Jun 5, 2006 06:11 PM
highrider76
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
10
Apr 30, 2005 06:14 PM
highrider76
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
4
Apr 22, 2005 08:50 PM
highrider76
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
May 31, 2004 05:44 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:56 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE