Crower cam

[Grbmaverickmo]

Ok I`m sorry the cam subject has been beat like a dead horse but I got another question. There is two Crower cams I like if I don't go with the Crane CJ cam in my 390 one is the part number 16255 other is 16256 there the stage 5 hydraulics. I was just wondering if anybody ever ran either cam? Thanks

[bn69stang]

what are you looking for in a cam ? , are you looking stock or just above that level .. Bud

[Grbmaverickmo]

Ok what I want is atleast a 13 hoping for a high 12 and be able to drive it more then 5 miles at a shot. I know how to make a 351w in a maverick do that but this is my first fe. My first attempt was not the best. I figured out how to slow a stock 69 390gt down with a bad cam pic when I rebuilt it. Motor is awesome reliable and gets decent gas mileage but 15.1 at 91mph it was faster stock and tired.

[bn69stang]

Without going back to previous posts , lets start new whats the cubic inch , heads, manifold , compression , gears , and auto ? - converter ? and where your at " altitude " and carb size and lets pick a cam .. Bud

[bn69stang]

And  stage 5  for both cams , whats your valvetrain like , rocker s , stands - end supports ? and what type of header s ? ..Bud

[Jim Comet]

My 390 really responded to a solid cam. I fought with a couple different hydraulic cams and couldn't get into the 12's. I switched to an old 427 solid grind 230/230@.050 and 530 lift with 114 separation and my setup with no other changes ran faster than my Crane Fireball juice cam which was actually a little bigger. I tried a couple of different sets of springs on my juice cam and it just didn't pull real hard past 5000 rpm even with adjustable valve train. I slid in the solid with the same springs and it really made a difference. I now run a different solid Erson with 242-246@.050 and 595 lift with 108 separation (only 6 inches of vacuum). This cam really works well with my 5800-6000 rpm shift points and the car now runs 12.20 to 12.50s depending on weather and exhaust. Jim

[Grbmaverickmo]

Ok. Here is what it is at the moment. 54 Crestline 3600lbs with driver. Stock rebuilt 69 390 gt has the c8ae-h heads, c9z intake, 600 edelbrock, recurved the distributor, accel super coil, carter fuel pump 3/8th fuel line from frnt to back. Stock manifolds with 2.5 inch and glasspacks out the back. C-6 trans and 3.25 in the rear, suspension reworked old super stock tricks too springs it hooks pretty well consistent 2.0 60fts. I messed up not knowing the gt cam was better so I put a speed pro stock replacement cam in it. It runs perfect smooth decent torque can spin tires at will on the street below 30mph just its done by 3900 rpm.  I checked springs there 80 at seat 270 at open. I ran it at Fe race worked fine and was really consistent I just want it quicker. So I have been gathering info and parts. Here is what I got so far to change on it. C7 Alum PI intake, CJ pan and windage tray and oil adapter for side of block. Msd 6AL, Holley 780 3310-1 with down leg boosters. Hughs 35-30, 3000 pro street conv. Factory adj rockers with precision end stands. I will match springs when I pic a cam. So I have a couple from crane and crower that the numbers seem decent but I figured I get opinions. I will look at erson and see what they offer also. Thanks Chris

[Jim Comet]

I did have to notch my pistons for valve clearance when I went to the Erson cam. Make sure you consider cam to piston clearance when selecting cams. Is there a guideline for how much lift you can run before notching pistons? Also my C8AE-H head have CJ sized valves, so that may make a difference also.Jim

[bn69stang]

I would recommend going to comp 282 s solid cam , that would work well with the new intake and carb , and you may want to consider some headers to go along with the converter you have .. and  imo a little more gear in the rear , 3.50 s work good with an automatic . And remember the 68 -70 cj mustangs ran in then 13 s , with more cubes and gear . Hope i have helped you out , and take this opportunity to do your homework and put it back together how you want it .. Bud

[bn69stang]

You could also double check your distributor and cure , just to cover that base .. Bud

[bn69stang]

Do you know if your distributor was curved to match your old motor .. Bud

[Grbmaverickmo]

Yes I curved it its 10 initial 36 total by 2600 roughly anymore initial it just makes it spin the tires to easy and if I bring it in sooner then 2600 it pings. I found a Crane cam that interests me the 296-2 has .554-.563 lift with there vari duration lifters or I have had good luck with Roades lifters. I just not sure if that's to much lift with my stock pistons and valve guide to retainer clearance.

[bn69stang]

I don t think so lunati makes  a 230 @ .50  .554 lift and a buddy of mine has it is his  428 cj , no clearance issues .. Bud

[bartlett]

IMO headers and gears are a must if your looking for any gains from a cam.

[Grbmaverickmo]

I`m prob gona go to 3.50`s when I change the cam because I have a center section with them. The 3.25 work great for what I have at the moment cause of the low shift point.  A set of FPA`s and new exhaust will be next yrs change. For now cam and related valve train parts, intake/carb and ignition. I like doing a little at a time keeps the project interesting and I do drive this car pretty regular. I just hear from guys at cruises how slow 390`s were and the only FE`S that ran were 428`s and 427`s. My buddies all have big block chevys and mopars. And we all know when guys get together with there cars the crap talk starts.