Coastal_87

I have a 1987 f150 351w (carbureted) as of right now it has a edelbrock intake and a edelbrock 4 barrel carb. I have gt40 heads (ported) haven't put them on yet. I wont be racing the truck or anything like that. but I do want the truck to sound like a beast. mild rough idle, but it will be driven almost daily. I was thinking about a comp 284HR. just need suggestions. also im thinking about putting a 2400 stall in it while its apart. also looking for good shorty headers. preferably ones that will bolt directly to the stock y pipe. any help is appreciated.

qdeezie

Are you sticking with flat tappet or going to roller? I suggest converting to roller if that's not the direction you're going in.

qdeezie

Also if you want a lopey idle and a cam that's worth 2 cents, you are going to have to go custom. A big cam such as a 284HR will make your truck sound badass, but pull like a turd. You need a low duration cam for it to perform.

Coastal_87

Gt40 heads will only work with a roller cam. And in not worried about racing it. I just want it to sounds sick. But still be able to drive it daily.

qdeezie

You need to get a custom cam. The camshaft market for good truck cams on larger displacement engines such as the 351 is nonexistent. Throw a carb and a roller cam into the equation and it is really no off the shelf options on the market.

You might want to look up FTI or someone that does custom cams. A good cam that will actually be a blast to drive (in a truck), but has a lopey idle will have to be custom.

Reason why I say this is because trucks are much heavier and need a cam that focuses on low end torque. A high duration cam for a fox body mustang would be a disaster in a truck.

Also, I am not a fan of flat tappet cams or suggesting in any way that you use one, but GT40 heads will work with any cam. Matter of fact, the lightning came with a flat tappet cam and gt40 heads.

The only difference between roller gt40 heads and non-roller gt40 heads is the valve springs, which you'd need to replace anyway when swapping out cams.

Coastal_87

So what if I just got a comp 4x4 cam? I have the money for a roller kit. At this point I just want cam kit that will be reliable.

qdeezie

Those flat tappet Comp 4x4 cams have good specs. The X4250H and X4254H will fit the bill.

You might already know this, but the major thing with flat tappet cams is there is pretty much no room for error as far as break in, valve spring pressure and oil (and additives) that you use until the engine is well broken in.

Coastal_87

Man I need to shop around haha.