I am going to put a new cam in my truck. I went all wrong the first time around and need some help. Probably wont spin this thing over 5500 due to the stock bottom end. My engine is as follows 1970 block and heads Heads are stock rebuilt with comp 955-16 valve springs Long tube 1 5/8th headers 9.5:1 compression ratio 2.5 exhaust to a pair of 2chamber 40 series no tail pipes 600 cfm Quick Fuel HR serieswith mechanical secondaries. Wieand Stealth intake MSD 6al triggered off points dizzy with vacuum advance Truck weighs 3800 lb +/- 4 speed wide ratio toploader 1:1 final 3:50 rear with 27" tall tires. Looking for for ideas on what would be a good cam to get this truck moving. I will be running the stock rockers because of the press in studs. Like to go to the track for fun but noting serious. Thanks
Lookin at Dyno Sheets from Comp ( means take it with a grain of salt) the 262h makes max torque @ 4K and max HP between 4800 and 5200 the 274 makes a little better HP closer to 5500 but the torque curve is about the same. They both have a pretty crappy torque curve. A 3800 lb truck is going to want a strong flat torque curve if you want to keep it moving. I don't know what cam didn't work for ya, but may I suggest that you consider a cam shaft from ford performance? here is my reasoning, I had a stock 2 bbl 351 Windsor in a plane jane '68 Torino that would pull strong to the 5,000-5300 range in lower gears and pull right up to the 4800-5000. A 351W HYPO motor should pull good and hard right up to 5500-5800 range easy. You already got the Comp cams sticker and if you don't I imagine we can find you one so no one has to know that its a Ford cam if you don't want. All the online catalog shows is roller stuff for late 302s but here is a number to call and ask questions. (800) FORD788
If this is a street/cruise/towing rig I would suggest the 268HE. You need TORQUE not top end (which a street motor rarely sees) RPM What heads ? Is this a newer or older version of the 351W? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using H.A.M.B. mobile app
It's an old 351 came out of a 70 Mustang. Block and heads are 70 D0OE casting. Heads are stock and so is the bottom end. It was a real low milage motor. Did a compression and leak down test. Compression range was 148-152psi across all 8. Warm engine carb on and all plugs pulled. Heads were rebuilt with 1.86-1.54 valves all stock. This truck is all fun no work. It's a short bed nothing fancy.
Ok just being honest with you the old 70s heads limit how well your motor can breathe. This can be a strong street motor but don't overcam it. The heads are better than the later smog heads with Thermactor humps in the ports. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using H.A.M.B. mobile app
The header tubes are too long. Long tube headers are best at facilitating power at HIGH rpm. You want low rpm performance. The exhaust system tubing is too big for an engine who's purpose is low end power. A dual 2-1/2" system, properly bent, can support 467hp. Are you going to be anywhere near that? As un-glamorous as it sounds, you would be better off with a 2" dual system. The carburetor is the wrong one for the job. Mechanical secondaries belong on the drag strip, not on a street vehicle. Pop the hood on an old-school dump truck, with a monster torque motor. You will likely find a TWO-barrel.
Comp http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/CamRecommendation/CamHelpNew.aspx Every big cam company will give free advice on which of their cams will work in your situation. It might take a few days. But they will do it for free.
I guess the first question I have to ask is where EXACTLY did you loose this cam ? If we are going to find it we need to start at the last place you remember seeing it ...
Well I went with the XE262H I talked to comp and they said that was a good choice. Then I talked to ford racing and aside from the 110 lobe separation he liked it. FR said that cam or concert to roller lol. Lastly I talked to a great machine shop that builds a lot of ford engines in thorntown IN. He said the same thing that the XE262 might have some noise in the valve train but should work great for what I'm doing. He also said not to over cam the stock heads. Too much cam was wise than not enough cam. He built a stock headed 306 with that cam and made 337 hp and 390ish torque on the engine dyno. Then I told him I was stuffing it in on some old cam bearings and he laughed and called me a dirt floor mechanic lol. He said after that if the cam bearing didn't look real bad I should be ok. They only have around 5k on them since I built the motor last year. I'll find out this weekend how well it all works.
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