What Guts in it?

[muttstang]

I just got a motor given to me from a friend.
It's a 302 out of an 86 stang, the motor was supposedly built for a fuelie setup but it was ran carbed.
I customer of my buddy's shop said take it and he said I could have it.
Neither of us know what cam is in it or what is actually done internally.
It's complete from pan to heads No intake or distributor.
I wanna know what cam is in it how can I find out.

My buddy does remember driving the car in and out of his shop awhile back and said it was pretty wild.

Any ideas on how i can atleast check the Lift of it whitout ripping it all apart?

 

[muttstang]

I was thinking of taking a dial indicator and a pushrod and turn the motor by hand to check the travel on intake and exhaust.

Or should i just pull it out and take it in to a machine shop and see what it's really all about?

 

[86bluecobra]

I was thinking of taking a dial indicator and a pushrod and turn the motor by hand to check the travel on intake and exhaust.

Or should i just pull it out and take it in to a machine shop and see what it's really all about?

yes this would work but that would give you lobe lift and you would have to multiply it by 1.6 to get valve lift. Now valve lift isn't really what you want to know so much as duration. Duration is really whats going to tell you if its a streetable cam. You need to be able to produce vaccuum so that your power brakes and the like operate properly. Because the intake is off you can see if it is roller cam or not. the 86's were roller cams originally. personally for the cost of a few gaskets i would take the cam out and get some numbers off it and make sure what I had.

 

[muttstang]

You need to be able to produce vaccuum so that your power brakes and the like operate properly. Because the intake is off you can see if it is roller cam or not. the 86's were roller cams originally. personally for the cost of a few gaskets i would take the cam out and get some numbers off it and make sure what I had.

He did say something about lack of vaccuum, But he can't be sure.
Will there be a part number on the cam somewhere?
I don't know alot about cams but i do know i would like more info than just lift, as you stated duration is more important.
What about lobe seperation?

 

[86bluecobra]

yep that uis important aswell. Hard to get all those numbers with a dial indicator
well atleast i don't know how to do it.

 

[muttstang]

so hopefully there will be a part# on it?
I have never looked at one that close before.

 

[86bluecobra]

Yes most cams have some sort of part number. that being said I have a cam downstairs that doesn't have any numbers. It came with my 351w. I took it out and installed what I wanted in it. Maybe I could take it to a cam shop and they could tell me what it is.

 

[bluevenom867]

It might be interesting to find out what it is,but put in what you like. Any cam company or engine builder on here can help you out,just let us know what your looking for for streetability and power range.

 

[muttstang]

I would love for this unknown setup to be streetable, beings as A i love free stuff that works and B I wanna go fast but am on a budget so anything helps.
But i don't wanna risk safety over a cam shaft so i'll hope for the best.

 

[90blacknight]

More importantly, does it still have the E6SE heads?

 

[muttstang]

I dunno yet I'll have to look when i pick it up on wednesday.
Why do you ask

 

[muttstang]

Could I not hook up a vaccuum canister or something to help with this issue if it does have a more track oriented cam in it.?

 

[86bluecobra]

Could I not hook up a vaccuum canister or something to help with this issue if it does have a more track oriented cam in it.?

Yes probably however you may need a vacuum pump. Either way it will probably be better in the long run to swap in a cam that will be nicer for street duty. Provided the cam doesn't make vacuum. If however it does then run whats in it.

 

[muttstang]

I should be able to tell if it will or won't create vaccuum by the cam specs right?

 

[86bluecobra]

yep you should be able to tell by that for sure. Look up the part number and the cam manufacturer should have a write up on the cam itself. I just thought of something. if it is a custom grind there maybe no decernable numbers off it.

 

[muttstang]

I am hoping i can use it
If it is a large cam there must be something done to the heads or springs at the very least to accomodate it right?
The pistons have to have reliefs cut into them after a certain lift no?

 

[86bluecobra]

yes on all fronts.

 

[ninety15.0]

I want to say that 86 pistons were not cut for valve relief. Im not sure about this but i believe they started cutting the pistons in 87 or 89. So checking the pistons would also be a good indicator of the cam size as you cant go that big without cutting the pistons.