SO just because im curious. i have a 1986 5.0/302. it is a roller motor. i am curious as to what my options are for cams? i would love to run a ford e303 cam. but i have heard i cannot due to the firing order of my engine. this may sound like a dumb question, but can i change the firing order easily, or is it a big job? thanks!! Jason
changing the firing order no big deal. are you out for sound, performance . fuel mpg, have you heard the thumper cams.
I suggest you do a lot of reading on other websites about Comp's "Thumper" cams before you even think about buying one,I would start with a Google search and watch what comes up.Also this is fact from Ford Racing "1986 5.0's MUST have pistons notched for valve clearance" this means if you swap cams you will either have to notch the pistons to run a higher lift camshaft or replace with an aftermarket piston with clearance notches http://www.kmjent.com/cart/product.php?productid=2278&cat=17811139&page=1 .1987 and later 5.0's can run either the B303 or E303 cam without the machine work,the STD vs H.O. firing order has nothing to do with valve clearance. Here is a picture and a discussion about your '86 5.0 pistons.http://www.carbdford.com/viewtopic.php?t=4731&sid=335a9a3320afceb6d14e549182282f25
A Ford B303 is nice cam and not radical . If you want a bigger cam the E303 & F303 are good cams to go with ! Just make sure your trans cam handle the cam . You will also have to change the valve springs due to the lift . If running a bigger E & F cams be easy on a stock T5 due to the HP and torque gains . If running a stock auto trans , you will have trouble with the idle at a stop . Also check the gears you are running in the rear . Bigger cams likes better gears . E303 has a .498 lift and a decent duration . You will enjoy the sound at idle too . F303 is around a .519 lift . If using a carb I would go with a 700 to 750 size depending on the cam you choose . A good Vic Jr intake will top that off nicely too ! You are getting into the bigger cams when you get to the "E" size cam . The B303 cam has a .480 and will be much friendlier on the street with stock parts ! Hope this helps . If you would like anymore information just ask ! Jim
On the Thumper Cams , I am running one in my 302 I built . I went with the small flat tap so I won't have to do a lot of upgrades . Piston clearance are fine on the small cam but you will need to buy new valve springs . I don't know about the roller cams . They are a very mean sounding cam and that ****py recording doesn't do them justice . They have good torque and HP gains . I am using mine for my 55 Ford so I am not going to race the car or anything like that . I am using a C4 trans with a stock converter . Like I said the small cam is the only one you can get away with stock transmission parts and don't have to worry about piston clearance . If you go with the bigger cams you will have to check the piston & valve clearance . That is a very easy thing to do . Just take modeling clay and put a thin lawyer on 1 piston and just set the head on the block with out the head gasket and put 2 head bolts in with a couple turn ONLY ! Now make 2 turns by hand on the engine . Then pick up the head and see if the valves touched the piston or not . If the valve is super close to the piston then order a thicker head gasket to use or have the pistons notched at your favorite machinist . I am using a Edelbrock duel plain intake and a Holley 570 Street Avenger . I went with the smaller carb because I am not looking to race it and will give me the torque and economy for a street engine . Even if I did race it I will never use the carb up anyway ! Most people put too much carb on their engines anyway . Hope this helps with you decision on a cam . As long as you stay under a .470 lift you are pretty safe and can even go with a .480 lift cam BUT be careful and don't use any rockers with more than a 1.6 ratio ! I am using Crane 1.6 roller rockers on a set of heavily reworked 289 heads with 1.90/1.60 valves installed ! Can I ask what you want from your engine and what will be the main use of the engine as in a daily driver , street performance , drag race /street car or do you just want something that sounds really good at a cruise and still get some more torque and HP ? Also what trans will you be using and what rear gears will you be using . That will help in the cam choice ! Choosing the wrong cam with the wrong rear gears and trans will be a real nightmare and waste of money ! Just some good advice to go by ! Jim
Jim,take another look at the second link I posted above and look at the pictures in the forum the '86 5.0 is a one year freak even with the B303 cam it made valve to piston contact.'87 and later can use the cams you spoke of 1986 cannot.
Jeff that is why I told him to clay the piston to make sure you have no problems ! I know some of the Ford engines have close clearances . the early small blocks were good for that too . I used a 1984 flattap engine for my build . Jim
Well my car is a street car. not planning on any kind of racing. just would like it to sound like more than a stock 302. like i said im not going to install a cam anytime soon. just wanted to see what people thought about options. great info here, alot of things that i didnt know about. thanks guys!!
What is your 1986 5.0 out of, p***. car or truck or HO? If it's not an HO, your pistons might be ok, the generic 5.0's (even in 86) came with cast, four-eyebrow, lower compression ratio pistons I believe...
Just remember to use some modeling clays to check the clearances . Most are Good to .450 to .460 lift without problems with flat tops . Valve Lift: .490 intake and .475 exhaust on the smallest Thumper Cam . I have heard them and they sound really mean ! You will need to change the valve springs which aren't much money at all . I got mine from Jegs and they tell you the springs you will need . Can use with stock rocker too . Roller rockers are better but not needed with this flat tap cam . Jim
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