Author Topic: New Cammer owner  (Read 16539 times)

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ToddK

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New Cammer owner
« on: February 02, 2017, 07:06:23 AM »
A few months back, I posted a link to an ad for a complete SOHC engine that was for sale local to me. At the time, I wasn't interested, but curiosity got the better of me. I went and checked it out, and, after much deliberation and selling my left *$% to fund it, I bought it. I figured that I have always wanted a cammer, and I have never seen a complete engine using mostly factory parts come up for sale in my part of the world, so I had better grab it while I can. I plan to put the engine in my '63 Galaxie, and have just had a set of headers made for it. The engine is now back in my workshop and will be stripped down to check everything.



Some details of the engine. The previous owner bought it from Les Blahut and was going to put it in his Galaxie. However, poor health prevented him from proceeding with the project. The engine had been dry assembled, but was stored in less than ideal conditions. A lot of dirt and bugs are throughout the it, so I will strip, clean and check everything.

The engine is based on a service replacement sideoiler block, and I was told it is at 4.245" bore.







The crank is a steel 427 $ crank, but has been offset ground to use BBC rods and has 4.00" stroke.



The rods are supposed to be Manley, but from what I can see so far, they have a big black cat on the beams, so not sure if that makes them CAT rods. Also, I haven't seen the brass screws in the centre of the main caps before, not sure what they are about.



The pistons are supposed to be Diamond and the compression is supposed to be 10.5 to 1, which should work okay with our premium ULP.



Another interesting thing about the block is that the lifter bores have keyway slots in them.



The heads are factory cast irons that were supposedly set up by Jim Green. They do look in good condition, and have 2.25"/1.90" valves.







This engine is set up with the early lash cap style non-adjustable rocker arms, and also has the low profile magnesium valve covers. The cams that came in it are Crower grinds that are fairly mild, so once I determine exactly what the compression ratio is, I will replace them with some new Comp cams.

The engine also came with a single 4 barrel factory intake and original C5AF BV Holley carb, which I plan to use. I do have a Munro 2x4 intake that I may swap on it at some point.

The timing chain and gears are all Munro parts, using the bigger 0.250" pin chain.

So now I strip, clean and check to see exactly what I got for my money. Then the fun of re-assembly begins.

thatdarncat

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2017, 07:21:03 AM »
Nice, looking forward to seeing the project. Who made the headers?
Kevin Rolph

1967 Cougar Drag Car ( under constuction )
1966 7 litre Galaxie
1966 Country Squire 390
1966 Cyclone GT 390
1968 Torino GT 390
1972 Gran Torino wagon
1978 Lincoln Mk V

ToddK

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2017, 07:43:10 AM »
A local exhaust guy I regularly use. The headers are off being ceramic coated at the moment.

rowdy58ford

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2017, 09:07:58 AM »
Do you know what the spring pressure is valve seat?
« Last Edit: February 02, 2017, 09:09:34 AM by rowdy58ford »

e philpott

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2017, 10:39:57 AM »
beautiful !!

XR7

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2017, 02:42:43 PM »
Looks pretty cool! Since the block is a 72 maybe it is one of the "P" blocks? Check the back by the bell flange.

Maybe the brass plug deal is blocking off an old PSE main "additional" oiling kit (don't remember what he called it)?

I was also going to ask how your High Riser 64 Fairlane drag project is coming along? I haven't seen an update in a while, very curious! It is summer down under so hopefully you are making some passes? Frozen solid around here with a couple feet of snow on the ground, 4 or 5 feet where I have shoveled and thrown it... ugh!
68 Cougar XR7 GT street legal, 9.47@144.53, 3603# at the line, 487 HR center oiler, single carb, Jerico 4 speed, 10.5 tires, stock(er) suspension, all steel full interior

ToddK

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2017, 03:43:41 PM »
I still have the '64 Fairlane and have made some good progress with it, though still not down the track yet. But very close. I will do an update on that in the next day or so.

The block does have the "P" cast on the back of it. I've been told it is supposed to be a "high nickel" content block, but not sure. It does look pretty clean and the bores look good, so I'm happy with that.
« Last Edit: February 02, 2017, 05:44:33 PM by ToddK »

WConley

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2017, 06:04:45 PM »
Yes the "P" block should be a good piece.  That actually stands for higher phosphorus in the iron.  The "P" blocks were sold as a premium item for racing applications in the Ford "OHO" catalogs back in the day.

Are you using external drainback lines or has the block been machined for the cammer drainback holes?
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ToddK

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2017, 04:03:51 AM »
The block has the oil drain back holes at the rear of the decks.

GJCAT427

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2017, 06:20:52 AM »
That block has had some mods made to it. I have a "P" block in my 56 F100 and I know the drain back casting is there but its not drilled. The keyways are a mod to get more oil to the cam and lifters. Crower makes lifters with a flat on one side machined on them , that does the same oil mod. What the brass plugs are on the main caps is a good question, I would be  questioning the strength of them if they are drilled all the way through. Still a good score though.

machoneman

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2017, 07:43:00 AM »
I think those machined keyways in the lifter bores served a different purpose: anti-rotation of similarly keyed roller lifters. Why? The machined keyways are way too deep IMHO to have been used to increase oil flow alone.

As to the brass screws, I agree it was likely the add-on main cap oiling system as noted. I'd not worry about strength either since many aftermarket blocks have similar drilled and tapped main cap bosses, thus allowing a builder to use a screw-in long bolt of small slide hammer to remove tight main caps.   
Bob Maag

ToddK

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2017, 04:21:32 AM »
Today I did a little more investigation of the engine.

One thing I noticed is that it he oil pan does not sit flat against the pan rail. It is being help up at the rear of the engine by the heads of bolts securing the #5 main cap. The bolts are new ARP with hardened washers, and sit above the pan rail by about 0.180". The oil pan is a cast aluminium type, and doesn't have enough material to be clearanced in the areas that are contacting. Is it possible to have the seats of the rear main cap spot faced further down to allow the bolt heads to sit below the pan rail? Or is there an ARP main bolt set that has a lower head height that will sit below the pan rail?

Heo

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2017, 08:03:47 AM »
I have milled down mine. I don't remember by how much
but i have windage tray and two gaskets so that move the
pan down about 1/4inch. I don't think the minor milling i did
make it significantly weaker . But someone may by know better



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Gregwill16

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2017, 09:14:53 AM »
+1 will windage tray and 2 gaskets give you the room needed?

My427stang

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Re: New Cammer owner
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2017, 11:20:11 PM »
Could go with a stock set of bolts on the rear cap too.  Pretty stable area back there
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