Cam Change with Gears???
Cam Change with Gears???
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove USA
Cam Change with Gears???
I am planning on changing my timing gears on my 86 F350 460 to a straight up set. I have never changed a cam with out tearing down the motor, so I am curious about how tough it is to change the cam while the engine is in the truck.
I suppose the intake will have to come off...and the radiator will have to come out. Am I biting off more than I really want to chew? Are there any bugaboos I am not thinking of?
For towing purposes, will a cam make enough of a difference to make the work worth while? Will I get enough of an improvement with just the gear set? How good is the stock cam...really?
The truck runs great with the 750 Edlbrock and MSD ignition, but I would like a stronger low end. I hate making decisions like this with out some informed feedback, so the more the merrier.
Thanks
I suppose the intake will have to come off...and the radiator will have to come out. Am I biting off more than I really want to chew? Are there any bugaboos I am not thinking of?
For towing purposes, will a cam make enough of a difference to make the work worth while? Will I get enough of an improvement with just the gear set? How good is the stock cam...really?
The truck runs great with the 750 Edlbrock and MSD ignition, but I would like a stronger low end. I hate making decisions like this with out some informed feedback, so the more the merrier.
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: sunny san diego
Cam Change with Gears???
I would recommend just changing the timing gears and chain to a pre-'72 setup. I had this done on my 85 / 460 and it made a big difference in low rpm torque and pulling power. Changing your cam could open up a can of worms in terms of poor performance. Go with the timing gears, you won't be sorry!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,882
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
Cam Change with Gears???
It's a lot of work to change the cam, a lot of work, but if you're up for it there are no real problems and the performance gain with a straight-up timing set and a cam with longer duration is well worth the effort.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,882
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
Cam Change with Gears???
I've changed cams three times using the same engine cam bearings with no problems. I've never changed cam bearings other than when a block was in the shop and they took care of it, but the procedure looks easy enough to do when the engine is in the rig. Everything's already out of the way.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Cam Change with Gears???
George: I'm new to the performance end of things. I,m changing the crank gear to straight. Would a cam with more duration than stock also help mileage since it is helpng performance like you said? I cruise at 2000 rpm's doing 65
thanks for any advice: just thinking about putting in a mild cam with split duration to help the exhaust flow. Also grinding dn the smog bumps while getting valve job
thanks for any advice: just thinking about putting in a mild cam with split duration to help the exhaust flow. Also grinding dn the smog bumps while getting valve job
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Fords to Drive Before You Die
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition
Brett Foote
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition
Joe Kucinski
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 13
Cam Change with Gears???
The 87 and up gear sets are also straight up and they are double roller chains and gears. I like the 260 series Crane cam for the 460 works well with computer controlled engines. Make sure and put in a new set of lifters if you change cams not a big deal you will already have the intake off. I have changed several cams with the engine in place. remove intake, distributor, radiator may be condenser (measure and see if condenser has to be removed before going to that extreme) pull balancer remove timming cover old gears and chain remove thrust plate pull cam out. Butter new cam with breakin lube and reassembly. The cam below will run with stock valve springs and push rods.
__________________________________________________ ___PowerMax
Grind Number H-260-2
Adv. Dur. 260/272°
Int./Exh. .050" Dur. 204/216°
Valve Lift Int./Exh 487/.518
Separation 112°
Idle Smooth
__________________________________________________ ___PowerMax
Grind Number H-260-2
Adv. Dur. 260/272°
Int./Exh. .050" Dur. 204/216°
Valve Lift Int./Exh 487/.518
Separation 112°
Idle Smooth
Last edited by wtroger; Jul 17, 2003 at 12:41 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Cam Change with Gears???
wtroger
How about power difference and did it hurt mileage?
I have just about talked myself into buying the cam you mention, but of course I've fooled around and missed their $20.00 rebate.
How about power difference and did it hurt mileage?
I have just about talked myself into buying the cam you mention, but of course I've fooled around and missed their $20.00 rebate.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 13
Cam Change with Gears???
TO SUPERDAVE
Mileage improved about 2 mpg. Power is remarkable Mine is 5 speed and it pulls in third and fourth like there is no tomorrow. What I also noticed is that it runs easy throttle response is immediate no bogging no hesitation and the power comes on smoothe and quick.
Just a little back ground the truck is 1989 F-superduty with the flat bed dump on it weighs 9000lbs I have put as much as 5 tons of material on this truck without issues. I also pull a backhoe the trailer for that weights 6000lbs and the hoe weights 10,000lbs
so at times this motor is pulling nearly 25,000 lbs. Since the rebuild I have no issues pulling these kinds of loads. I also put speed pro h535p pistons in which brings the compression into the 9.0-9.2 range.
Mileage improved about 2 mpg. Power is remarkable Mine is 5 speed and it pulls in third and fourth like there is no tomorrow. What I also noticed is that it runs easy throttle response is immediate no bogging no hesitation and the power comes on smoothe and quick.
Just a little back ground the truck is 1989 F-superduty with the flat bed dump on it weighs 9000lbs I have put as much as 5 tons of material on this truck without issues. I also pull a backhoe the trailer for that weights 6000lbs and the hoe weights 10,000lbs
so at times this motor is pulling nearly 25,000 lbs. Since the rebuild I have no issues pulling these kinds of loads. I also put speed pro h535p pistons in which brings the compression into the 9.0-9.2 range.
Last edited by wtroger; Jul 17, 2003 at 02:37 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Cam Change with Gears???
Thanks for the response.
I have thought about using this cam in my "signature" truck.
Deen Hylton helped me out here by dynoing a few selections I gave him, and for his help, I owe an overdue thanks.
This Crane, H-260-2 appears to be a better cam than the base, Comp Cam Xtreme 4x4 cam. My engine has stock 8:1 compression, stock everything except an Edelbrock 750 cfm carb. This cam swap was to be a spring project, but now its looking more like a late summer project.
I have thought about using this cam in my "signature" truck.
Deen Hylton helped me out here by dynoing a few selections I gave him, and for his help, I owe an overdue thanks.
This Crane, H-260-2 appears to be a better cam than the base, Comp Cam Xtreme 4x4 cam. My engine has stock 8:1 compression, stock everything except an Edelbrock 750 cfm carb. This cam swap was to be a spring project, but now its looking more like a late summer project.
