Discussion
I have a pair of reconditioned heads off a 3.5 that was fitted with a high lift cam and was designed to rev like crazy (according to previous owner it was nudging 260hp). The heads have double springs and it was necessary to machine the spring seats to allow for the combination of high lift and uprated springs. Why, I don't know. But this uprating valve springs and high lift cams is witchcraft, so be careful.
Speaking of cam lift. Just checked mine, visually, and the inlet on Number 6 is visibly less than the rest. I suppose this would explain the misfire on that cylinder that I was determined was electrical, having converted to wasted spark.
So the valve spring was not the culprit and now I'm after a decent cam, lifters and probably timing chain + vernier gears.
Looking for similar spec to the original 390 cam, possibly a bit wilder, but not something that's going to make it a pain to drive.
An idiots guide to set-up and preload etc would be handy as well.
So the valve spring was not the culprit and now I'm after a decent cam, lifters and probably timing chain + vernier gears.
Looking for similar spec to the original 390 cam, possibly a bit wilder, but not something that's going to make it a pain to drive.
An idiots guide to set-up and preload etc would be handy as well.
deetes said:
Speaking of cam lift. Just checked mine, visually, and the inlet on Number 6 is visibly less than the rest. I suppose this would explain the misfire on that cylinder that I was determined was electrical, having converted to wasted spark.
So the valve spring was not the culprit and now I'm after a decent cam, lifters and probably timing chain + vernier gears.
Looking for similar spec to the original 390 cam, possibly a bit wilder, but not something that's going to make it a pain to drive.
An idiots guide to set-up and preload etc would be handy as well.
Hi deetes. So the valve spring was not the culprit and now I'm after a decent cam, lifters and probably timing chain + vernier gears.
Looking for similar spec to the original 390 cam, possibly a bit wilder, but not something that's going to make it a pain to drive.
An idiots guide to set-up and preload etc would be handy as well.
My car had a 'real steel' 218/220 cam fitted by brummmie (ph nic).
He did the job himself, and the result is a very smooth driving motor with plenty of poke at all revs, and sweet tickover.
Maybe you can drop him a PM.
He's now built a 600bhp+ Cerb.
Edited by grahamw48 on Saturday 15th November 14:40
Deetes - you may well find you cam is worn on that lobe..
Here are some cam specs :
http://www.btinternet.com/~jon.wolfe/kentcamdata.h...
Good set-up info here :
http://www.g33.co.uk/tuning.htm
It's always worth while talking to someone like V8 developments as they sell many cams (and their own grinds) and buy cam, followers, springs and caps ..
if needed.. ask if lift need additional head machining or ask what to look for if it's been done and what to check for coil bind.
Here are some cam specs :
http://www.btinternet.com/~jon.wolfe/kentcamdata.h...
Good set-up info here :
http://www.g33.co.uk/tuning.htm
It's always worth while talking to someone like V8 developments as they sell many cams (and their own grinds) and buy cam, followers, springs and caps ..
if needed.. ask if lift need additional head machining or ask what to look for if it's been done and what to check for coil bind.
Cheers for the replies.
Anyone changed a cam in situ? Looks like a lot of grief, but if it's shot it's shot and the car's running like sh@t anyway.
I spoke to the guys at V8 development, but they need to know what cam's in it just now. I know that before I got the car, many years ago(1996), it had a cam fitted, supposedly to increase power from 276bhp to 325bhp!!!!! Honest, that's what it said on the invoice. It also mentioned Cosworth push rods!!!! Laughed at that. So god knows what cam's in it. Didn't seem that wild on the road.
They, V8 Developments, wanted to know if the the engine had pocketed pistons for big valves. No invoices for that so I'm in the dark there.
Anyone changed a cam in situ? Looks like a lot of grief, but if it's shot it's shot and the car's running like sh@t anyway.
I spoke to the guys at V8 development, but they need to know what cam's in it just now. I know that before I got the car, many years ago(1996), it had a cam fitted, supposedly to increase power from 276bhp to 325bhp!!!!! Honest, that's what it said on the invoice. It also mentioned Cosworth push rods!!!! Laughed at that. So god knows what cam's in it. Didn't seem that wild on the road.
They, V8 Developments, wanted to know if the the engine had pocketed pistons for big valves. No invoices for that so I'm in the dark there.
The simplest deal would be to have an exact replica to the one that's in, minus the duff lobe obviously, and slap that in with new lifters, timing chain and gears, thus eliminating any messing around with preload or valve timing.
Failing that, is it worth considering adustable pushrods or rockers to take care of the preload. Roller rockers would be nice but extremely expensive. Group A adjustable rockers anyone?
Failing that, is it worth considering adustable pushrods or rockers to take care of the preload. Roller rockers would be nice but extremely expensive. Group A adjustable rockers anyone?
Measure the valve lift using a dial guage..
Pocketed pistons - remove the plugs .. either use a scope (guess not many people will have one of those) or just feel for indents in the piston with it close to tdc.
Here is a picture of pocketed pistons - see the indents about 2/3 of the way across the piston - when viewed from the spark plug side :
Pocketed pistons - remove the plugs .. either use a scope (guess not many people will have one of those) or just feel for indents in the piston with it close to tdc.
Here is a picture of pocketed pistons - see the indents about 2/3 of the way across the piston - when viewed from the spark plug side :
Cheers Rev,
I was going to pull the cam anyway, so I should be able to get some measurment from that as well. I was also thinking of sending it to ??? V8 Developments to see if they had a similar one.
It'll have to waitfor a while as I'm off to Edinburgh for a week while the plumbers rip my bathroom out. More expense!!!!!
Was looking at a set of Grp A rockers???
Thanks for the help.
I was going to pull the cam anyway, so I should be able to get some measurment from that as well. I was also thinking of sending it to ??? V8 Developments to see if they had a similar one.
It'll have to waitfor a while as I'm off to Edinburgh for a week while the plumbers rip my bathroom out. More expense!!!!!
Was looking at a set of Grp A rockers???
Thanks for the help.
Hi Deetes
Did my can in the SEAC the other year with out removing the engine, the strip down didnt take long at all to do.
I installed a kent 234 in with new hydrolic lifters and the alloy valve rockers.
If you do it your self replace the sump gasket and the from primery cover shares the gasket at the bottom and normaly brakes off and you will not get a good oil seal.
I took my cover off twice and its easy to remove the sump from the car also a gives you a chance to have a good look inside the block.
Campbell
Did my can in the SEAC the other year with out removing the engine, the strip down didnt take long at all to do.
I installed a kent 234 in with new hydrolic lifters and the alloy valve rockers.
If you do it your self replace the sump gasket and the from primery cover shares the gasket at the bottom and normaly brakes off and you will not get a good oil seal.
I took my cover off twice and its easy to remove the sump from the car also a gives you a chance to have a good look inside the block.
Campbell
Well back from a jolly to Edinburgh. Bathroom still a building site and there's a sh@t load of sna oooootside, so no work on Tiv.
On the good news side, I bought a set of GrouP A adjustable rockers, so now I have to find push rods to fit. Apparently X-flow Ford ones do, but not sure which, 1300 or 1600?
Probably better to start a new topic on this.
If the snow drifts clear then I'll go out and start tearing it to bits.
On the good news side, I bought a set of GrouP A adjustable rockers, so now I have to find push rods to fit. Apparently X-flow Ford ones do, but not sure which, 1300 or 1600?
Probably better to start a new topic on this.
If the snow drifts clear then I'll go out and start tearing it to bits.
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff