Time to pick a cam

[Ron_Hall]

Hi guys.
Now that I have the new pistons coming its time to think about a cam.
This is the cam that came with my PAW master rebuild kit 15 yrs ago
gears 3.25 should be close to 9.5:1
no real raceing

PAW SSI#10364
270in 280e
204-214 @.050 .484 .510 lift at 112deg lobe center

And this is the one I was looking at.

Thanks
Ron

[1972hiboy]

ive heard some good feedback with some guys here on the site using the Crane 901 cam, as its a good truck cam. Been kinda wanting to try it myself. I'm sure some other people will chime in with other good options. I miss the PAW days..........

[My427stang]

There is nothing wrong with the cam you have with the kit, it'll match a truck as well as the one you like.

To compare them, the Comp has a little narrower LSA, which will help with torque at WOT, the cam you have has a little more exhaust duration and lift, which will help hang in there longer by a smidge, especially with the exhaust port on an FE. The installed centerline for the Comp is earlier and will have a little more vacuum at idle, but not much. If it were me, I'd run what you have, it is very close to a CJ cam and will match nicely

[DuckRyder]

I agree the one you have should work well if it is serviceable (IE: has the kit been sitting around for 15 years or been in service for 15 years?)

I strongly prefer dual pattern cams in fords with stock heads, so my advice if you are set on (or need to) change the cam, look at some of the newer dual pattern Comp cams (for example XE262H) instead of the HE268H.

Some of the popular choices for trucks from Crane are the 343901, 343941, 343801, with the 801 being most radical of that group. The way Cranes numbering works, if you change the last digit to a 2 you get a kit with lifters. Folks refer to these simply as the "901", "941", "801".

[Ron_Hall]

There is nothing wrong with the cam you have with the kit, it'll match a truck as well as the one you like.

To compare them, the Comp has a little narrower LSA, which will help with torque at WOT, the cam you have has a little more exhaust duration and lift, which will help hang in there longer by a smidge, especially with the exhaust port on an FE. The installed centerline for the Comp is earlier and will have a little more vacuum at idle, but not much. If it were me, I'd run what you have, it is very close to a CJ cam and will match nicely

Thanks my427stang..
That is good news as I didn't really want to buy a new one! So many things and so little $$$
Ron

[Ron_Hall]

I agree the one you have should work well if it is serviceable (IE: has the kit been sitting around for 15 years or been in service for 15 years?)

I strongly prefer dual pattern cams in fords with stock heads, so my advice if you are set on (or need to) change the cam, look at some of the newer dual pattern Comp cams (for example XE262H) instead of the HE268H.

Some of the popular choices for trucks from Crane are the 343901, 343941, 343801, with the 801 being most radical of that group. The way Cranes numbering works, if you change the last digit to a 2 you get a kit with lifters. Folks refer to these simply as the "901", "941", "801".

DuckRyder, when I started this project in 2001 I had all the machine work done and started to assemble the engine. I installed the pistons, cam, timing chain,timing chain cover, oil pump and oil pan then I was pulled off the project. I also had work done to the heads at a speed shop they polished the valve pockets and installed the springs. before I walked away from the engine I set the heads,intake manifold and Sanderson shorty's on the block and put a couple bolts finger tight and covered everything. Lifters and push rods are still in the box they came in. Do you think the valve springs will still be ok after all those years under pressure? the heads are c8ae-h. below are the lifters and push rods that cam with the kit.
many thanks to you and all the guys fort he help!!