Hey guys,

Im in the process of building a 1989 HO 302 to put into my 65 coupe. I was wondering how to go about matching a cam with a set of heads for my application. For instance, im worried if i pick a cam with too much lift the valve springs on the heads i decide to buy wont be long enough, or that the valves on the heads will be smaller than ideal and hold me back, etc.

Ive checked the forums and google'd this topic but all i have come across is popular combinations, not why they will work well together and how we know that. Im essentially looking for a guide on matching cams and heads together, so that i can piece together my own combination as opposed to just taking someone else on the internets word as to what a good combo is. Any links or advice would be great, thanks!

 

I for one will stay tuned to this as I should be bringing an 87 HO 302 home tonight.

 

The most common point of interferance is with the valves touching the pistons. To test for this the machinest will put modlers clay on the top of the piston, temp install the head and turn the crank over. Take the head back off and look at the clay and see what the clearance is.

The springs should be what the manufacturer of the cam recommends.

I would recommend you sit down with the machinest before you buy anything and draw on his experience. And a good machinest will be more than happy to do this with you cause his name and reputation on your motor also.

 

or get a a so called "top end kit". edelbrock for example do heads, intake, cam combos. justt need to make sure it matches the bottom end. if it's roller or not. if there's clearance for the valves. but if you have bottom end specs the manufacturer can tell you if it works.

 

http://www.flowtechinduction.com/fordcams.htm

 

I was going to say edcurtisFTI@verizon.net but you beat me to it. Just make sure you fill out the form so he knows exactly what you have. You will still need to degree any cam you get followed by ptv and radial clearance.

I just went through all this with my 1990 302HO

 

The cam manufacturer will tell you what springs you need to run with their camshaft...You just need to buy the springs they tell you or have the springs on whatever heads you buy checked to make sure they match the specs given by cam manufacturer.....Another option is to buy the heads bare (no springs etc) and then buy the parts recommended for that camshaft...