Notices

Need Camshaft Help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 30, 2005 | 09:31 PM
  #1  
1972 SportCustom's Avatar
1972 SportCustom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Need Camshaft Help

I need to know which one of these would be better for a daily driver with a 390, and a two BBL carb, please tell me which one of these I should buy, or please reccomend something that would be better for the same price. thanks oh and btw everything is stock in the engine.They are both about 90 bucks off ebay, brand new with lifters.


The first cam, .484/.510 valve lift
204/214 duration at .050"
270/280 advertised duration
112 lobe separation



The second cam,
528/528 valve lift
284/284 advertised duration
218/218 duration @.050"
110 degree lobe separation
 

Last edited by 1972 SportCustom; Jul 30, 2005 at 09:34 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2005 | 12:07 AM
  #2  
rusty70f100's Avatar
rusty70f100
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Well...

The first looks better for a stock compression 390. Really though, for a 2 barrel engine with everything else stock, I think both of those two are a bit too radical. You'll probably have better results in getting a set of headers and a 4 barrel intake and carb first. If you're set on getting a cam, look at the Crane 343901. That will work with a stock motor nicely, as well as support any future upgrades. It will cost a bit more though.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2005 | 12:33 AM
  #3  
1972 SportCustom's Avatar
1972 SportCustom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
would the first be ok to run in my truck, or no, the cam is now the only thing holding me back and i have a really really tight budget, 4bbl intake and carb is out of the question, same with headers.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2005 | 02:30 AM
  #4  
gtex's Avatar
gtex
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
I think the first cam is very close to a stock cam, so it will work. You can get the 343901 cam and lifters for about $169.95 at Summit, see part #343902
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2005 | 07:42 AM
  #5  
RapidRuss's Avatar
RapidRuss
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Club FTE Silver Member

I'll Have too agree with Kurt.. I think before I spent the money on a cam, I would at least go to a Junkyard 4V intake, and a 4V carb, before I would tear the motor apart to suff in a new cam... JMO....

Russ
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2005 | 10:01 AM
  #6  
xfordman's Avatar
xfordman
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: Grain Valley Mo.
I rebuilt a 302 on a budget once and made the mistake of installing a bigger cam. I know it's hard to resist because you can buy a budget HiPo cam for about the same price as a stock cam. But with a 2 barrel and stock exhaust they just don't work. If a 4V and headers aren't in the budget I would buy a stock cam. JMO.

____________________
XFM....learned the hard way!!!
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2005 | 11:52 AM
  #7  
rusty70f100's Avatar
rusty70f100
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
According to the specs I have, the stock FE cam is a 256/266 degree dual pattern, .427" / .431" lift. So actually, the first listed cam is quite a bit bigger than the stock cam.

If you're on a budget, go to the junkyard. Get a 4 barrel intake and the carburetor sitting on top of it. Rebuild the carburetor, and stick it on. If you're lucky, you'll find a truck with a set of headers that aren't completely rotted out.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2005 | 11:59 AM
  #8  
gtex's Avatar
gtex
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
thanks kurt, I didn't realize how mild the stock cam was! Only .431" lift...I really thought it was closer to .475"
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 31, 2005 | 12:31 PM
  #9  
fordeverpower's Avatar
fordeverpower
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,934
Likes: 0
From: iowa
192/199 duration at .050 as well for a stock cam.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2005 | 07:51 PM
  #10  
1972 SportCustom's Avatar
1972 SportCustom
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
well the engine is already completely apart, and im not about to go to the junkyard to get a crappy intake manifold, get it tanked, paint, rebuild another carb, i guess ill just have to find a stock one.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2005 | 08:07 PM
  #11  
rusty70f100's Avatar
rusty70f100
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Well, if you're expecting to get something for nothing, it's not going to happen. You can either:

1. Waste your $90 on a cam that's not going to do anything due to your restrictive exhaust and dinky carburetor, or
2. Spend your $90 on a intake, carb rebuild kit, couple cans of brake cleaner (you dont need to have it tanked...), and a blue spray bomb, and have somthing that WILL make some difference.

The cam is definately NOT what is holding you back right now.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2005 | 02:04 PM
  #12  
RapidRuss's Avatar
RapidRuss
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Club FTE Silver Member

Well Kurt, as much as I hate too say it, some people just wont listen?? If he's got the motor apart and rebuilding it? whats another $100? I give up.....

Russ
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:31 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE