Ok this is a very complicated question (for me) and I really appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this. I am a newbie with engines. But mine has 194,xxx miles on it and i know it isnt going to last much longer. I want to buy a new 331 short block from d.s.s. Say i buy preassembled twisted wedge heads. How would i go about choosing, buying, installing a cam, lifters, rods, rocker arms etc? Heads are assembled so springs should be installed already but probably not rockers. I know i'd need flycut pistons for valve clearance and i believe they come standard on d.s.s. shortblocks. Now in the future i want to run some boost too. Should i get the low compression pistons and should i get a blower cam now, or get one later? How hard is it to install a cam when the engine is in the car or at all for that matter. Do i have to degree the cam? Sorry for the "20 questions" but you guys are the only people i can turn to in order to learn this stuff. I want my hard-earned money to be spent well. I myself believe it would be much cheaper to buy a shortblock and heads, cam etc seperately and install them myself than to buy a longblock already assembled. Please help me out! Stangnet is my only hope
Valvetrain and cam installation questions
- Thread starter mr_tinkertrain
- Start date
i suggest checkin out the stangnet chat to get some of your questions answered. also do a search on stangnet for some of your questions.
as for installing the cam with the motor in the car....you need to have the radiator removed...even then its probably going to be a pain...
whats the compression ratio of the short block you are ordering? is it low? might not need new pistons....
if you order a short block and need pistons later...thats kinda a loss of money... may as well just have your old block rebuilt.
i dunno what comes with the DSS shortblocks...do they come with heads? i'd assume the heads are fully assembled with rockers etc. and i'm sure it comes with a cam...
as for installing the cam with the motor in the car....you need to have the radiator removed...even then its probably going to be a pain...
whats the compression ratio of the short block you are ordering? is it low? might not need new pistons....
if you order a short block and need pistons later...thats kinda a loss of money... may as well just have your old block rebuilt.
i dunno what comes with the DSS shortblocks...do they come with heads? i'd assume the heads are fully assembled with rockers etc. and i'm sure it comes with a cam...
wonder way DSS doesn't provide a cam.thanks for some info. d.s.s does give you a cam and heads (even the afr 185's i wanna run) with valvetrain and everything except accessories and intake basically. but its VERY expensive. 331 with afr 185's is about 5000 and if i sit and add it up seperately its almost 1000 cheaper. i dunno but i think i could save alot assembling the stuff myself.
Michael Yount
Mustang Master
Lots of questions that are probably gonna take too much typing time here in the forum. PM me and I'll shoot you something about how to degree the cam and check for proper piston to valve clearance. BE CERTAIN DSS knows what kind of heads you're gonna buy. The TFS heads require the valve reliefs to be in different locations in the pistons than most of the other aftermarket heads - they'll need to spec a different piston for TFS than others. Definitely assemble as much as you can with the engine out of the car - EVERYTHING is easier to work on with the engine on the stand. I even mounted all my accessories before I dropped it back in.
oz
Founding Member
I personally wouldn't want to tackle assembling an engine this expensive as my 'virgin' engine building experience. You need to get some experience with a 'pig' before you try to get with a 'super model'.... 
Seriously though, if you have the advantge of a second car such that you can take your Mustang off the road for awhile, it may not be a bad idea to do a budget 'refresh' on your current engine with new rings, bearings, valve job, new cam, etc. ...if your car has 194k miles on it, it may not be a great candidate for a high power stroker anyway. Find a low miles LX and go nuts.
Keep in mind that to do assembly right, you will need good tools, instructional manuals and/or the Ford service manuals, an engine hoist & leveler. You may find that all your savings is used up buying tools to do the job right.
It's very easy to make a critical mistake... you really need to know what you're doing - or at least have a friend who does that will help you in person.
Good Luck!
Seriously though, if you have the advantge of a second car such that you can take your Mustang off the road for awhile, it may not be a bad idea to do a budget 'refresh' on your current engine with new rings, bearings, valve job, new cam, etc. ...if your car has 194k miles on it, it may not be a great candidate for a high power stroker anyway. Find a low miles LX and go nuts.
Keep in mind that to do assembly right, you will need good tools, instructional manuals and/or the Ford service manuals, an engine hoist & leveler. You may find that all your savings is used up buying tools to do the job right.
It's very easy to make a critical mistake... you really need to know what you're doing - or at least have a friend who does that will help you in person.
Good Luck!
