408 Stroker Build - Cam Advice

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Elephant, Jul 26, 2020.

  1. Elephant

    Elephant Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2013
    Messages:
    130
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Katy, TX
    Vehicle:
    1977 Maverick
    I’ve got my block at the machine shop now (waiting on parts) for boring and a possible line hone. I need some advice on cam selection based on my build. Keep in mind shock towers have been removed.

    Goals: purely a street car. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it to a track and if I do, probably once or twice just to get some benchmarks. Probably 90% around town, to and from work on occasion, etc. Some longer trips 3-4 hours the other 10%. I like a real lopey idle but still want it streetable. I will be retaining AC, PS, power brakes. Looking for 450-500 at the crank.

    Car details: c4 (standard build, will be rebuilt with upgrades), 3.00 rear gears on 8”. I have 3.55’s standing by but going to start with 3.00. If I grenade the rear end, I’ll upgrade.

    94 351w standard roller block
    Bored .030 over
    Scat 9000 crank (purchased)
    Eagle forged I-beam 6.25” (purchased)
    Mahle forged flat tops, -6.5cc reliefs (purchased)
    Standard Felpro 9933 gasket
    Intake undecided...thinking Performer or some dual plane but need to worry about Grabber hood clearance
    Carb undecided. Thinking perhaps a Quick Fuel 950
    Heads AFR 205 with 72cc chambers, likely some upgraded hardware and springs
    Hydraulic roller lifters
    28 oz external balance

    I calculate about 10.3:1 static CR assuming a simple deck job not quite to 0.

    Any thoughts on a cam here? Any good off the shelf worth looking at or is custom better? If custom, what are some good makers to look into?
     
  2. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2002
    Messages:
    26,456
    Likes Received:
    2,835
    Trophy Points:
    978
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    MACON,GA.
    Vehicle:
    '73 Grabber
    call a cam company , they will ask you some questions. for what you want they can also tell you the carb. and intake to get you to where you want to be.
     
  3. greasemonkey

    greasemonkey Burnin corn

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2005
    Messages:
    2,401
    Likes Received:
    203
    Trophy Points:
    208
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Sedalia,MO
    Vehicle:
    1973 ford maverick Grabber,2017 dodge ram,88t-bird,indian scout,Indian Chieftain.95 Mustang GT
    Xe274hr with a Stealth intake. It's a small cam but with those heads you don't need more.
     
    stumanchu likes this.
  4. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2012
    Messages:
    7,561
    Likes Received:
    2,319
    Trophy Points:
    531
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chesapeake VA
    Vehicle:
    1972 Comet GT clone 306 . 1969 Fairlane Cobra 428CJ 1988 T-Bird awaiting 331 ..
    Using a very mild Comp cam in a 410 Windsor with 165 & 195 AFR heads, Engine Masters produced these numbers. With 220cc heads, HP was almost exactly same as with 165 head, proving huge ports are a handicap.

    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-35-421-8/make/ford

    This engine is a helluva street piece.

    enginemaster410headtest.JPG
     
    TeeEl likes this.
  5. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,124
    Likes Received:
    1,154
    Trophy Points:
    523
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Kennewick, WA
    Vehicle:
    1971 Maverick Grabber
    Engine Masters is by far the best show on Motortrend!
     
    Maverocket and Krazy Comet like this.
  6. bmcdaniel

    bmcdaniel Senile Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2002
    Messages:
    6,740
    Likes Received:
    634
    Trophy Points:
    318
    Location:
    York. PA
    Vehicle:
    '70 Maverick Grabber
    That is a retrofit cam with reduced base circle lobes for use in older blocks. He has a roller block and should run a full size cam.
     
  7. rickyracer

    rickyracer Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2002
    Messages:
    577
    Likes Received:
    184
    Trophy Points:
    141
    Location:
    Central Nevada
    Vehicle:
    66 Stang, 68 Cougar, 72 Comet GT
    One thing I wish dynos showed is response time from a given RPM, 2000, to another RPM, say 5500. That would really tell you which setup is most responsive.
     
  8. stumanchu

    stumanchu Stuart

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2016
    Messages:
    1,375
    Likes Received:
    556
    Trophy Points:
    338
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    74 comet, 70 Olsen step van, 2005 Scion xB
    If you put on headers with free flowing exhaust, you will not need much duration on the intake or exhaust. That engine will probably still run good with a cam that is not ideal, but if you get a hold of one of the custom cam guys, some of them pick the best lobes for your set-up from the comp cams catalog, and will give specs to position the lobes for best performance. If you choose your own, I would find a good dynamic compression calculator to make sure your running compression is tolerable. That is a real sweet build you have going.
     
    TeeEl likes this.
  9. stumanchu

    stumanchu Stuart

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2016
    Messages:
    1,375
    Likes Received:
    556
    Trophy Points:
    338
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    74 comet, 70 Olsen step van, 2005 Scion xB
    Smiles/gallon on that motor would be endless.
     
  10. Elephant

    Elephant Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2013
    Messages:
    130
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Katy, TX
    Vehicle:
    1977 Maverick
    I ended up going with Chris Straub’s cams. He also convinced me to go down to the AFR 185s for my goals since I’m not looking for a high-reving street machine. Last thing to decide on and purchase is intake and carb. Will be doing that shortly. Thanks for all the input.
     
  11. stumanchu

    stumanchu Stuart

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2016
    Messages:
    1,375
    Likes Received:
    556
    Trophy Points:
    338
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    74 comet, 70 Olsen step van, 2005 Scion xB
    Personally, I think consulting an expert is money well spent during a build where there is substantial cash invested, especially when in the parts gathering/planning phase. After this motor is built, you can goof around and experiment with your old one if you want. I also hope you have posi and good tires, lol.
     
    Elephant and mojo like this.

Share This Page