Camshaft selection...lets get your thoughts.

TireSmoknWindsr · Jul 12, 2004

My lifters are tickin somethin awful and I figure its cam/lifter time...good excuse,eh? well...the engine is a stock '77 302 w/ flattop pistons. Any idea what lift the springs might be good for? I want more 2000+rpm range w/ the cam. I am going to put a 4 barrel on the thing soon but for right now I'm putting on the street dominator and a adapter for the 2 barrel to work on the 4 barrel intake till I can afford a new Holley(my engine budget's been blown for the most part on the 390FE leavin me w/ little cash). I can't really do anything head wise right now so they will be staying. Here's the selections

single pattern crane energizer kits:

272/272 adv duration, 216/216 dur@.050, 110 lobe sep., 484 lift

278/278 adv duration, 222/222 dur@.050, 110 lobe sep, 498 lift

dual pattern crane powermax

2000-5000rpm 272/284 adv duration int/exh, 216/228 dur@.050, 112 lobe sep, .484/.512 lift int/exh

What do you guys think...seems the dual pattern would be a better choice...and with its design its powerband is better than that of the larger of the single patterns which rpm range is abit high for my needs. Think that would be a decent choice...they are pretty cheap and I am a crane cams fan. Would there's be a noticable idle difference?

Max Power · Jul 12, 2004

I like dual pattern cams for any engine with restrictive exhaust, like the 1977 302 Ford. I think you are shopping for too much cam for stock heads, though. You should be thinking in the 260 duration range.

If you saw the exhaust ports on those heads, you would see what I mean. Also, keep in mind that your stock springs are good to about 4500 rpm, and your press-in studs can't take too much cam either.

TireSmoknWindsr · Jul 12, 2004

well here's another dual pattern

1500-4500 260/272 int/exh adv dur, 204/206 dur@.050, 112 lobe sep, .456/.484 lift. That seems to run abit short powerband wise though vs the other dual pattern.

I know thing is restricted some...my lt headers and magnapack exhaust gave it a hell of a kick compared to how it was w/ manifolds and turbos. I don't wanna hafta pull the heads off. I'm hopin maybe they could handle the new cam w/o new springs/retainers...if not I guess I'll get them to put on using the airhose to keep the valves from droppin. Never heard anything about the studs being a problem though. At least for my setup

Max Power · Jul 12, 2004

Studs start becoming a problem with stout springs and cams that approach .500 lift.

I am running a Comp Cams Extreme Energy dual pattern cam in my 77 Maverick with a 77 302. The specs are 256/268 intake and exhaust duration and .477/.484 lift. Powerband is 1000-5200 and it idles nice.

I am using older heads with screw in studs, though. I also ported the the thermactor bumps out and put in hardened seats.

Quite often the cams will not get the warranty if you don't buy the springs.

TireSmoknWindsr · Jul 13, 2004

Thanks for the input, anyone else wanna share?

D.Hearne · Jul 13, 2004

Which car are you going to be using the cam ? What's the comp ratio?

TireSmoknWindsr · Jul 13, 2004

D.Hearne said:
Which car are you going to be using the cam ? What's the comp ratio?

my '66 stang....77 model 302....it does have flattops in it now though...i honestly dont know the compression of it, never tried to find out.

D.Hearne · Jul 14, 2004

Got a stall converter in it? With that car you could get away with a bigger cam than the same motor in your 71.

TireSmoknWindsr · Jul 14, 2004

It's not got a stall in it at the moment, gonna get one though when I order the cam. How come it would allow me more cam than my 71?

rfedd · Jul 14, 2004

The lifters are ticking? Or the rockers are ticking? Things out of adjustment? Oil getting up top OK?

Ron

Max Power · Jul 14, 2004

You can use more cam because your car is lighter than a 71.

rfedd · Jul 14, 2004

You might go on line, go to www.compcams.com Fill out the cam questionaire and see what the experts recommend for your combo. Might as well get the ideal cam. After all they only spent 6 billion dollars on research.

Food for thought,

Ron

LMan · Jul 14, 2004

Exactly. Cam selection is very very hard to do this way (forum) because there are so many variables....the ideal cam for every car would be custom-ground for THAT car, but since we cant all do that its best to go direct to each manufacturer and take advantage of their R&D departments and recommendations. Its fast, free, and you can compare reccs between companies.

Max Power · Jul 14, 2004

The cam I listed on my first post was the cam that Comp told me would work the best.

The only thing you have to decide before calling is which manufacturer to call.

TireSmoknWindsr · Jul 14, 2004

rfedd said:
The lifters are ticking? Or the rockers are ticking? Things out of adjustment? Oil getting up top OK?

Ron

It's gettin oil up there good, I adjusted the rockers twice....its the lifters. I wish it was just wore out rockers...then I'd get some rollers.

D.Hearne · Jul 14, 2004

Max Power said:
You can use more cam because your car is lighter than a 71.

Ditto------- my thoughts exactly If you're going to get a stall converter, then go with the bigger cam.

Camshaft selection...lets get your thoughts.

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