Is my engin healthy enough for an H/C/I?

[ga94gt]

The motor has 181,264 miles on it and I want to do an H/C/I. I did a compression check and here are my results.

cyl 5 140psi
cyl 6 138pi
cyl 7 140psi
cyl 8 135psi

cyl 1 137psi
cyl 2 145psi
cyl 3 145psi
cyl 4 137psi

Any suggestions would be great. If everybody says it is ok then I will throw TW heads, Steeda #19 cam, 1.7's and ported cobra at it. But if not i guess I have no choice so I will go with the 306.

Thanks Garrett

 

[95gtdude]

IMO I think it will be ok.

 

[Grn92LX]

You're fine. Why a junk speeda cam? If you feel its too many miles, buy a 347 shortblock and throw the h/c/i parts on that.

 

[ford302redneck]

IMO, Id start fresh.

Id prolly be fine, if you wasn't gonna do H/C/I, but once u start adding power, your bottom end might not like it very well.

just my 2 cents

 

[ga94gt]

Well the Steeda with 1.7's is really no differnet that the trick flow stage one.

Trick flow specs: 221/225 duration 499/510 lift 112 lobe seperation 1.6 rr's

Steeda specs: 220/226 duration 510/510 lift 115 lobe seperation 1.7 rr's.


I was thinking if this motor was good that I would put the H/C/I on and save and build a motor until this one goes. Then I would swap heads and intake and then get a different cam.

 

[Grn92LX]

The specs arent the same dude. And you have to look at more than the @ .050" specs. What about the i/e open/close events? Throw it all on now and keep saving like you said.

 

[SublimeRT]

That 112 LSA of the TrickFlow to the Steeda's 115 isn't exactly a little difference either. I'd do a leakdown test on the motor too before deciding to HCI the motor. The compression test results look fine though.

 

[ga94gt]

Will do!

The steeda cam oly cost me 100 new from a guy off our local froum.

 

[ford302redneck]

Well the Steeda with 1.7's is really no differnet that the trick flow stage one.

Trick flow specs: 221/225 duration 499/510 lift 112 lobe seperation 1.6 rr's

Steeda specs: 220/226 duration 510/510 lift 115 lobe seperation 1.7 rr's.


I was thinking if this motor was good that I would put the H/C/I on and save and build a motor until this one goes. Then I would swap heads and intake and then get a different cam.

Why not do it right the first time?


Im not stating your motor is bad now, but think if you put all this money into it and it poops out 2 days after u do all this.

Then what?

I have 200+ on my motor. It runs strong, doesnt smoke ect, nor use any oil. But I cant see myself putting h/c/i on it, the way it sits.

 

[ga94gt]

I already have the all the parts so it will be no big deal. But if it does go two days later then I guess it is time for a 306. All the parts for the h/c/i will go on the 306 with the exception of the cam.

It's not my dd so for it to sit for a while is no big deal. I just want to have some fun now!

 

[ford302redneck]

Well, since its not your DD, I don't see as much a problem.

I was just in the same situation as you, and decided to rebuild or buy a new remand long block from Ford.

 

[igotyofire]

just run whatever cam you want....lol diff. strokes for diff folks. steeda should be more computer friendly anyways heh

 

[ga94gt]

The Steeda cam should be alright for now. If I get about 260 to the wheels I will be happy.

What kind of head gaskets should I get? Should I get just a regular head gasket, or should I get one something with copper wire in it.?

 

[RIO5.0]

Get the Fel-Pro full engine gasket set... It has everything...I think Summit carries it. Even the gasket set from Ford Racing is made by Fel-Pro

 

[ga94gt]

Cool will do I was actually looking at that kit. How do you like your Steeda cam?

 

[RIO5.0]

I got the Steeda for the LSA & being puter friendly... Its been fine... it's a tad lazy til 2800 or so and then pulls just fine.. I still run ported stock stuff and computer.

That Fel-Pro set is sweet...it has it all, including rear main seal.. its worth the moeny to have everything there...Only thing it wont have is the EGR gasket.... if your running that.

 

[ga94gt]

I got the Steeda for the LSA & being puter friendly

That Fel-Pro set is sweet...it has it all, including rear main seal.. its worth the moeny to have everything there...Only thing it wont have is the EGR gasket.... if your running that.

That is one reason why I considered the steeda. What kind of power and times are you running?

I am runnig the egr but I can get that gasket at auto zone.

 

[RIO5.0]

262 RWHP / 296 TQ... run mid 13's.... and still gets 19-20 MPG...
I don't run it all that often.. only have a 1/2 dozen runs on it.. I just wanted to get into the 13's...

 

[sprintertech]

if something breaks you may damage your new h/c....just my 2c

 

[ga94gt]

How much of a difference would it have made if I did the test with the motor warmed up?