Author Topic: 302--Which Camshaft?  (Read 1431 times)

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410bruce

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302--Which Camshaft?
« on: March 31, 2023, 08:15:25 PM »
Hey guys. Picked up a low use rebuilt 302 and pulled it down for inspection. Right now, it has a Performer cam installed and the lifters all look great.
It's the 204/214 @.050 112 LSA grind. I have a cherry 351 Windsor marine cam that specs out around 206 or 210/220 @.050 and 115 or so LSA. I'm vague on the specs because I'm unable to nail down true, 100% factual specs as it seems no one on the net knows for sure, but I do see the 206/220 number and 115.5 LSA come up fairly often.
The lifts on both cams are comparable at mid .400s. The 351 also has the 351 firing order, naturally.
Ford Racing had one listed as 208/224 .453 lift years ago, maybe that's it?
Would one of these cams have an advantage over the other, or would it be kind of a wash, being they are fairly close in specs.

308 cubic inch, performer intake, GT40 heads, headers.
4000 lb. pick-up, daily driver, C6 auto, 308 gears.

As always, thanks for any input.

Joe-JDC

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Re: 302--Which Camshaft?
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2023, 10:22:54 PM »
If it is running ok with the camshaft that is in there and the lifters look good, leave it alone.  Not enough difference in those camshafts to warrant possible loss of the other cam or lifters during break in of the camshaft.  Joe-JDC
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410bruce

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Re: 302--Which Camshaft?
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2023, 10:57:42 AM »
Thanks Joe.   8)

Falcon67

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Re: 302--Which Camshaft?
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2023, 09:14:18 AM »
If it is running ok with the camshaft that is in there and the lifters look good, leave it alone.  Not enough difference in those camshafts to warrant possible loss of the other cam or lifters during break in of the camshaft.  Joe-JDC

Agree.  My spare 302 uses a Crane 216/228, that is enough to make a decent difference from a 204/214.

My427stang

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Re: 302--Which Camshaft?
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2023, 08:30:08 AM »
If you could come up with the entire cam specs for both, including calculated compression, it'd be far more accurate.

However, just at first glance, in that combo, that gear and tranny, I like the smaller Performer.  Follow on math would be what can you do to optimize it in that combo.
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Ross
Bullock's Power Service, LLC
- 70 Fastback Mustang, 489 cid FE, Victor, SEFI, Erson SFT cam, TKO-600 5 speed, 4.11 9 inch.
- 71 F100 shortbed 4x4, 461 cid FE, headers, Victor Pro-flo EFI, Comp Custom HFT cam, 3.50 9 inch

410bruce

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Re: 302--Which Camshaft?
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2023, 04:08:46 PM »
Thanks guys. Will stick with the smaller of the two small cams.  :)