• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Timing/cam Issues?

  • Thread starter Thread starter pissedoff92
  • Start date Start date Jun 3, 2012

pissedoff92

Member
Aug 14, 2011
288
7
18
western new york
Jun 3, 2012
#1
  • Jun 3, 2012
  • #1
My buddy has an 87 with the HO motor in it. he just put gt40 heads, some headers and a new cam in it. The cam is a comp cams 31-601-5. I cant get the timing right to save my life. I think im a tooth off on the distibuter but my main concern is what would the firing order for this cam be? would it be 351W/ HO firing order or the old school 289/302 firing order? As of now it runs on the H.O order and ive got it set at 10deg with the spout connector out and it pops and misses like crazy. it will only run with ur foot in it. it wont idle at all.
 

88LX5.Oh

15 Year Member
Dec 30, 2011
1,442
205
94
Arkansas
Jun 3, 2012
#2
  • Jun 3, 2012
  • #2
302 HO's used the 351W firing order. I googled this cam you said you had. Came up as flat tappet. Our cars have roller cams.
 

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog
10 Year Member
Apr 6, 2011
10,733
6,716
214
Hillsborough county
Jun 3, 2012
#3
  • Jun 3, 2012
  • #3
When you buy a new cam it should come with a cam card giving you all the information you need to set firing order. the card also has all the characteristics of the cam, i agree with 88lx5.oh, the cam you listed is flat tappet. our cars are roller motors.. TDC number one and drop the dizzy again... use a pos. stop tool advanced carries it, or if your really careful you can use a screw driver. BUT i would figure the cam issue out first.. you could probably google it... :search:
 

pissedoff92

Member
Aug 14, 2011
288
7
18
western new york
Jun 4, 2012
#4
  • Jun 4, 2012
  • #4
Whats a positive stop tool? By the way I got it figured out. it used the old sbf firing order opposed to the ho/351 firing order. it is a flat tappet cam, i didnt know that at the time like I said its a friends car. He put new lifters and pushrods in it. why hes want to do that is beyond me.
 

88LX5.Oh

15 Year Member
Dec 30, 2011
1,442
205
94
Arkansas
Jun 4, 2012
#5
  • Jun 4, 2012
  • #5
Tell him to junk that cam and go back roller.
 

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog
10 Year Member
Apr 6, 2011
10,733
6,716
214
Hillsborough county
Jun 4, 2012
#6
  • Jun 4, 2012
  • #6
The reason all newer vehicles have roller cams and lifters is for one reason. efficient... the extra stress exerted on the valve train is needless, he basically just took one huge step back..
 
Reactions: 88LX5.Oh

88LX5.Oh

15 Year Member
Dec 30, 2011
1,442
205
94
Arkansas
Jun 4, 2012
#7
  • Jun 4, 2012
  • #7
And not to mention, the specs on that cam are almost equivalent to a FRPP B303. And we all know how the letter cams are...
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
15 Year Member
Oct 31, 2006
5,525
943
214
Chengdu Province
Jun 5, 2012
#8
  • Jun 5, 2012
  • #8
1. You can't change the firing order of an EFI 302.
2. The "one tooth off" distributor thing is a myth. If the rotor is pointing at the #1 terminal when the #1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke, the distributor is installed correctly. Simple as that.

Is he running roller lifters or flat tappet lifters on that cam? It sounds to me like your buddy has this thing FUBAR.
 

jsw81

5 Year Member
Mar 19, 2007
307
71
68
IA
Jun 5, 2012
#9
  • Jun 5, 2012
  • #9
88LX5.Oh said:
And not to mention, the specs on that cam are almost equivalent to a FRPP B303. And we all know how the letter cams are...
Click to expand...
all hail B cam.
 

88LX5.Oh

15 Year Member
Dec 30, 2011
1,442
205
94
Arkansas
Jun 5, 2012
#10
  • Jun 5, 2012
  • #10
jsw81 said:
all hail B cam.
Click to expand...
I honestly don't know if I like it or not in my car. I've only driven the car twice. But so many people on here complain "oh it's old technology and it sucks"
 

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog
10 Year Member
Apr 6, 2011
10,733
6,716
214
Hillsborough county
Jun 5, 2012
#11
  • Jun 5, 2012
  • #11
I run the enfamous E cam. I personally love it, big long torque curve and she breaks free when i hit 3k.
 

jsw81

5 Year Member
Mar 19, 2007
307
71
68
IA
Jun 5, 2012
#12
  • Jun 5, 2012
  • #12
88LX5.Oh said:
I honestly don't know if I like it or not in my car. I've only driven the car twice. But so many people on here complain "oh it's old technology and it sucks"
Click to expand...
sounds badass at idle at least!
 

pissedoff92

Member
Aug 14, 2011
288
7
18
western new york
Jun 5, 2012
#13
  • Jun 5, 2012
  • #13
Why cant you change the firing order on an efi motor? He doesnt have the money to fund a new cam and lifters. Let alone pull the motor again to install one. Yes he changed the lifters to flat tappet. And I totally agree with you guys he made a huge mistake going back to flat tappet. but im just tryin to help the kid out.
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
15 Year Member
Oct 31, 2006
5,525
943
214
Chengdu Province
Jun 6, 2012
#14
  • Jun 6, 2012
  • #14
pissedoff92 said:
Why cant you change the firing order on an efi motor? He doesnt have the money to fund a new cam and lifters. Let alone pull the motor again to install one. Yes he changed the lifters to flat tappet. And I totally agree with you guys he made a huge mistake going back to flat tappet. but im just tryin to help the kid out.
Click to expand...

Because even if you switch around the plug wires, the injectors will continue to pulse in the old firing order. It is possible to rewire the injector harness to get them to fire in the new firing order, but at that point you're creating a mess to fix a mess. Honestly, he should stick the stock cam back in it and chalk it up to a learning experience, or possibly find a cheap used roller cam and plug it in there.
 
Reactions: 88LX5.Oh

pissedoff92

Member
Aug 14, 2011
288
7
18
western new york
Jun 6, 2012
#15
  • Jun 6, 2012
  • #15
makes sense. thanks a bunch guys
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Engine HO cam in non HO roller block ‘93 f150
  • DanC1993f150
  • Mar 21, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
490
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 29, 2026
General karthief
M
Engine Unexplainable Exhaust Pop and Gurgle
  • Mrnissen122
  • Feb 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
790
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 18, 2026
Noobz347
D
Foxbody Misfire 5.0 Swap
  • DPORTER0729
  • May 2, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
731
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 13, 2025
90sickfox
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
1K
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Oct 19, 2026
mattcrp1
M
Resolved Need help!! 289 with 351 firing order issues
  • Falcon67
  • Jun 13, 2024
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
3K
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jul 6, 2024
2Blue2
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?