I have a 93 F150 with a 302 and 77K miles. I mainly use this truck to pull my car hauler and other utilitarian uses for a pickup. It is in pretty good shape with minimal rust. A few months ago it decided to burn #8 exhaust valve so it is time to yank the heads for a freshning up. While I have them off I figured I would try to get some more torque out of it for towing. I figured I would change cam to an HO series cam to change the firing order and bump up the power. A Ford friend says that it is a speed density set up and you can't change it unless a host of other things are changed too. I am not familiar with Fords so I cannot comment, so my question is, can the cam be changed as mentioned or do I need to stick with the same series cam and try to get more torque that way. Any knowledge is appreciated and cam profile suggestions are welcome. I just want it to pull hills easier and better gas mileage would be a bonus.

Regards
Barry

 

you're going the wrong way....

I would address why the valve burnt...either to low of fuel or too much timing...pullinbg a load means things need to be into the right spec...

An HO cam is Definitely the wrong way to go as you WILL lose low en torque...torque is how much weight you can pull Horsepower is how fast you can pull that weight...

the lower the torque it dont matter how much horsepower you have...you'll never get the load into the range to be able to utilize the horsepoer and will end up burning up a completely good engine...more than just a valve...

Beings if was an exhaust valve tell me you were lugging the engine and timing was later than it should be...as the heat was taking place more during the exhaust cycle...

you should be running a cooler T-Stat to help keep temps down...if you are going to pull loads then opt for a RV cam...you'll be miles better on torque than an HO cam and it will be in a range where you can utilize it and not hurt the engine doing so...

using an RV cam will get you the hill pulling torque and be more efficient in that range...so MPG will improve as well...if you need extra then opt for a good set of SMALL primary full length headers...those will increase bottom end torque as well and increase engine efficiency even more...so you gain all the way around...

EDIT: you can build the engine any way you like with the ECM but if you go outside the set perimeters of the ECM mapping you WILL need to have a custom chip made...that means any repairs must be the same as the engine is after the swap...no more stock parts...so no just swapping for a stock engine down the road unless you put the factory ECM back...

it is a toss up either way....

I would HIGHLY suggest giving Comp cams a call and talk to the tech support..they will steer you in the right direction...when ever I need a second opinion on my cam choice I ALWAYS call them...

 

x2 on calling Comp Cams......they'll ask your criteria and about the vehicle then give you a good option for a cam. While you've got the heads out I'd have them worked over to gain some more power.......port em out and have bigger valves put in along with valve springs to match the cam. x2 on the full length headers as well but don't skimp too much on them because the cheapies tend to leak after a little while. Also, remember that gears can make a difference and so can shift kits.

 

I'm agreeing with most of what they are saying but you cant really do to much to that year truck without a mass air conversion. Much over stock is just a waste without it, the speed density will limit your mods drastically.

 

Thanks for the information guys. I appreciate it. The motor is pretty much tore down in the truck. Just need to literally lift the heads off the engine. It was definitely a PITA. Guess I won't do much to it since it will not equate to any major power gains. I will look at the wear and tear on the mechanical parts and change appropriately.

 

yeah i ased comp cams they said only one cam would work for my 302 with the density set up your best bet is the conversion or stroke the engine put a nice set of aluminum heads and a better intake cause i was doing the same thing you were till i called up comp cams and there like nope cant put what i want all these sensors are a real pain in the but what happened to the good old 302 with just oil temp sensor .

Tom