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Old Jun 3, 2006 | 09:34 PM
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Camed 390

How big of a cam can a truck 390 with no major internal modification handle? The truck is a 73 F-250 4x4 with a C-6. The engine has a aluminum intake, Holley 4 barrel carb, headers, electronic ignition conversion, dual exhuast. How big of a cam can I go with stock valve springs, and how big with new valve springs? Heads are stock.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2006 | 09:54 PM
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Not very. You're limited by your compression ratio more than anything. I wouldn't go above about 260 degrees of advertised duration on the intake lobe.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2006 | 10:16 PM
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regardless of the cam, the springs get weak over time.. you'd probably see a increase in power by swapping in a new set of springs alone... i read an article somewhere and they did just a spring swap and picked up like 15-20 horses and better overall response and performance...
 
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 01:01 AM
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I was told by someone that in a 4x4 dont get a cam .495" on the intake side and that the 390 soaks up duration but no more then 290 advertised degrees and a lobe centerline of 112 degrees and do aluminum spacers in place of the stock rocker arm spacing springs do anything for valvetrain stability?
 
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Cat man
I was told by someone that in a 4x4 dont get a cam .495" on the intake side and that the 390 soaks up duration but no more then 290 advertised degrees and a lobe centerline of 112 degrees and do aluminum spacers in place of the stock rocker arm spacing springs do anything for valvetrain stability?
these are all interesting things.. i ran a comp 268 cam with .495" lift on intake and exhaust (i was a single pattern cam), and it ran really well in an otherwise stock motor. 290 advertised is a big stick that has no low end, if you run a stall or deep gears it'd be alot of fun, my buddy ran one in a fairlane that turned 12's in the quarter, then we dumped that motor in the truck and had a ball.. if you're not going to do anything else to the motor though thats way too big of a cam..
 
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 11:48 AM
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are you sure the engine is even really a 390? they never came in 4x4s. and if it is i would be willing to bet it doesnt have the compression a truck 390 had. it sounds like it has had some work done to it with the aluminum intake and headers.
 
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 12:01 PM
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390's came in alot of 4x4's
 
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by piperig78
390's came in alot of 4x4's
Nope, it was never a factory option. 390's are 2wd only.

Stock, that is.

(At least, in the '73-'77 range. I have no personal experience with pre-'73 pickups).
 
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Old Jun 27, 2006 | 01:21 PM
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That doesnt mean however taht somebody swapped in a 390 for the 360 that was in there from the factory.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2006 | 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by krewat
Nope, it was never a factory option. 390's are 2wd only.

Stock, that is.

(At least, in the '73-'77 range. I have no personal experience with pre-'73 pickups).
they were never an option in 4x4's prior to 73 also.. only 360's.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2006 | 11:13 PM
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On post #4 why do you think people add alumimum spacers instead of springs?
A **** poor design from day one to leave anything to chance like springs. When a 390 gernades at 5,800 all because rockers walked over against springs instead of solid spacers it's a no brainer.

.....=o&o>.....
 
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Old Jun 28, 2006 | 01:00 AM
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Are those something that you have to custom make or is there a aftermarket Kit??
 
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Old Jun 28, 2006 | 01:43 AM
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I run FPP roller rockers that came with spacers purchased 20 years ago.
Not a clue about after market spacers alone as I haven't been looking.
Maybe other members will chime in.
If I had to I would make my own as I have a lathe.

.....=o&o>.....
 

Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Jun 28, 2006 at 01:46 AM.
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Old Jun 28, 2006 | 03:37 AM
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Ive been eyeballing the Crane Rocker Setup for a winter mod.. I dont turn that high of a RPM often, but I like having the peace of mind ya know?
 
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Old Jun 28, 2006 | 12:38 PM
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I wouldn't use springs if the motor never went above 3,000 rpm's, want to build on chance? Do the airline mechanics repair on chance or leave maintenance until another time? Want to fly on chance? Get my drift, but then it's your motor.

.....=o&o>.....
 
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