New engine for my tow truck

[GJCAT427]

I need a little help picking a cam for my  truck that will haul my Galaxie and Tbolt wagon. Its a 64 F350 flatbed that I`m putting together. Current plan are a rear end swap to a Sterling 10.25 rear 4.11 gears 5 spd Clark OD tranny and a 410 Merc that I`m rebuilding. I`m looking for a low to mid range powerband engine speed. Highway speed to around 60-65 mph. I have stock 410 heads and a couple of stock 4bbl manifolds to choose from. Not looking for a drag truck but more of a work / daily driver. Some input here?

[FrozenMerc]

Sounds very similar to the 390 I built for my '76 F250 Camper Special 5 or 6 years ago.  I too wanted a towing cam, something that had a lot of low and mid range torque and would work well with the stock heads and 4 bbl intake.  I ended up choosing a Howard's Dual Pattern Cam (P/N HRC250031-12).  It worked really well, that motor pulled like freight train from 2000 RPM's on up.  It had no trouble yanking my 24', 10,000 lb Pace enclosed along at 65 - 70 mph.  For a 410, you may want something a bit bigger for the extra cubic inches.

Here are the specs.
Year: 1963 - 1977
Make: Ford
Engine: 352-428
Camshaft Type: Hydraulic Flat Tappet
Basic RPM Range: 1400 to 5200
Valve Lift Intake: .525
Valve Lift Exhaust: .525
Duration Intake: 267
Duration Exhaust: 277
Duration at 050 Intake: 213
Duration at 050 Exhaust: 223
Lobe Separation: 112
Intake Centerline: 108

[bsprowl]

I think your suggested cam would be great for his use.  The additional cubes would drop his useable RPM a bit but he really wouldn't be over 4000 RPM much if ever. 

I suggest he try to find a two speed rear axle. 

[blykins]

Flat tappet or roller?

[GJCAT427]

 Funny, I was looking at a Howards cam HRCL259921-11 and thought that would work and then you showed the 31-12 and that might be a good choice too. Bret, I`m thinking flat tappit.

[blykins]

C7AE-A heads?  Do you know compression ratio?

Typically, with the lower duration cams like you need, you can tighten the LSA up quite a bit to gain more torque.  I generally don't grind 110-112 LSA cams on haulers like this.  Also, advanced cam timing is your friend in situations like this.  If the compression will allow it, ICL needs to be way down there.

[GJCAT427]

 Yesterday I took time to see What I had for heads, C7JE-A, C4AE-G. CJAE-R, D2AE-AA, C8AE-H (3sets), C1AE-A, there may be more, I`m still looking. I`m thinking any of them will work on this 410, I`m planning on a 4bbl with an aluminum intake. Got to see what I have stashed later today. I did find a Howard cam on line at one place and the lifters at another. Still thinking and looking for suggestions.

[frnkeore]

Gary, your going to be at least .030 down, with a 410 piston. I can get you some .024 steel shim gaskets, to get you ~.054 squish, with 5.98cc gasket, for $70 a pair.

I also have a set of .040 over 410 pistons, with rings.

[blykins]

Can’t really pick a cam until the heads and compression ratio are nailed down.  You can get close enough that it will run ok, but it won’t be optimal.

[GJCAT427]

 Been working out all the figures for this build and now moving toward getting parts. Final compression should be 9.9 to 1. with the C7AE-A heads. I had a buddy that builds engines and he helped with the math. He has his own shop and does a lot of Fords and diesel build for customers. Camshaft was a challenge but got the Howards 250031-12 in a kit form with the lifters, springs' keepers and locks. Gotta get rings and gaskets when I get more bread next week.

[frnkeore]

Gary, what head gasket are you going to use?

[blykins]

Been working out all the figures for this build and now moving toward getting parts. Final compression should be 9.9 to 1. with the C7AE-A heads. I had a buddy that builds engines and he helped with the math. He has his own shop and does a lot of Fords and diesel build for customers. Camshaft was a challenge but got the Howards 250031-12 in a kit form with the lifters, springs' keepers and locks. Gotta get rings and gaskets when I get more bread next week.

You better install that cam straight up (112 ICL), or you're going to have a lot of trouble towing on pump gas.  Ping city.

[frnkeore]

Brent, those heads are suppose to be 74cc and with a .041 gasket, the CR should be about 9.2 and 7.55 DCR, installed 108/112.

If he were to use the .024 gasket, he would have ~9.55/1 & 7.83 DCR and might need that NY, $7 premium gas for heavy loads. That's why I ask what gasket he is using.

If Gray does, indeed have 9.9, I would agree with you.