[Dead Road]

Searching for info about cam choices and ran across a thread from this site. Very knowledgeable people, far more than I. Figured no better place to join and learn something.

My info first. I am putting a 71 Boss 351 in a 71 bronco. When I got this motor it was rebuilt. Stainless valves good retainers, bored .030 over with flat top pistons, hydralic cam and lifter ground to stock boss specs. I assume the compression is 10 and change. I'm putting a torker single plane manifold, 850 carb, and sanderson shorty headers on it. I am running a wide ratio toploader 4speed 4.11 gears and 33" tires. The bronco is strictly a toy, turn some heads at the local car show and do a little sand draggin.

To my question. Valve springs are set up for the stock boss cam and I would rather not change them. Looking for the best cam to fit my setup, would like a little lope and alot of performance. Wouldn't be opposed to going back to solid lifters if that is the best application. Any suggestions?

[ericnova72]

Stock '71 Boss cam is a solid, 228° @ .050" .514" lift with a 114 lobe seperation - You are saying you have a hydraulic ground to those specs??

Cleveland claim to fame is upper rpm hp, I would definately go with a solid cam for a toy like you are talking about, wouldn't even consider a hydraulic. Calling somebody like Bullet Cams or Jay Allen Camshaft Innovations, or even Isky, Crower, Lunati, CompCams, etc and getting a custom grind would be the ideal way to go.

I would be thinking solid of about 240-250 @ .050" around .540" lift with a 106-108° lobe seperation.

You will be a lot happier regardless of cam if you put more gear in it, those big 33" tires are killing the 4.11 gear ratio, 4.88-5.13 will make you a lot happier. 4.11 gears with 28" tires is barely enough for the 1/4 mile in a car, see where I am going due to the size of the 33" tire??

[Dead Road]

Thanks for the info. I am hoping that the wide ratio trans will help with the gears. I have heard so many different opinions about the boss bottom end. Most say the cleveland doesn't have the low end. Then I've spoken with boss 351 mustang owners who say take a ride and see how it launches then say it doesn't have bottom end. Also this bronco will probable only weigh around 3000lbs. I am going to give it a try with the 4.11's and change out gears as necessary. Hopefully not!