[logan1]

Originally Posted by cdminter59

logan1, when you start assembling your engine check your deck clearance. Measure from the top of the piston at TDC to deck of the block. If it has not been milled it will probably be .025. You can use a straight edge and a set of feeler gauges to get your measurement. measure from front to back, parallel with the piston pin. Get a set of these head gaskets to set the quench at .040 if your deck clearance is .025. Fel-Pro Performance Head Gaskets Q1094 - SummitRacing.com.

Kool I'll be sure to do that. Also coincidentally the spec sheet for the patriot heads recommends the Fel-pro 1004 or 1094 head gaskets.

[logan1]

Well i called Comp and asked for help picking a cam. They told be the biggest cam i could get and still have power brakes would be a XE274H.

[snakebit68]

Thats true...however, you can easily add a vacuum reserve. It simply stores vacuum for when you're at idle. Its inexpensive, effective and allows you to run a fairly large cam without concern. Check Summit Racing, I think the run like $45.00. Its just a dang coffee can with vacuum line in and vacuum line out.

[vinniekq2]

Originally Posted by logan1

Guys now that i have a head that can take a .575 lift would it be beneficial to upgrade the Hydraulic flat tappet cam? Would a comp cam 12-214-4 be a good choice? or is there a better option that will give me more power while keeping the car streetable. I would like to go as aggressive as possible but this is a 70% street car, 30% autocross/strip. I would also like to have enough vac to run power brakes and vac advance on my distributor. I have T5 mustang transmission and i have 4:11 gears in my diff.

COMP Cams Magnum Hydraulic Camshafts 12-214-4 - SummitRacing.com

Camshaft, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 305/305, Lift .525/.525, Chevy, Small Block

I wouldnt use that cam for anything.
If you want that much cam,buy a roller. If a roller is too expensive then use a solid flat tappet.
300 advertised duration flat tapped cams are just not great,they sound like 700 hp and generate less than a moderate solid

[logan1]

Originally Posted by vinniekq2

I wouldnt use that cam for anything.
If you want that much cam,buy a roller. If a roller is too expensive then use a solid flat tappet.
300 advertised duration flat tapped cams are just not great,they sound like 700 hp and generate less than a moderate solid

Yes the roller cam is too expensive for me at this time. To switch to a solid flat tappet cam would i need to change anything other than the cam and lifters?

[logan1]

Also you thoughts on this hydro flat tappet cam:

286/286, Lift .490/.490, Chevy,
COMP Cams Magnum Hydraulic Camshafts 12-326-4 - SummitRacing.com

[logan1]

also considering this cam:

292H-10
292/292, Lift .501/.501, Chevy,

COMP Cams Magnum Hydraulic Camshafts 12-213-3 - SummitRacing.com


Just watched a video of this cam on youtube and it sounds amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCEVGG8QQr0

[vinniekq2]

Originally Posted by logan1

Also you thoughts on this hydro flat tappet cam:

286/286, Lift .490/.490, Chevy,
COMP Cams Magnum Hydraulic Camshafts 12-326-4 - SummitRacing.com

that cam would likely be decent.
I really do not like hydraulic flat tappet cams.The solid cams with the same grind as the flat tappet cam usually perform a fair bit better.

most people prefer hydraulic as they do not require adjustments. The solid usually idles smoother and revs a little higher

[logan1]

Is it a good idea to run a gear drive as oppose to the standard chain drive? There is one for sale in CL and i was wondering what the advantage of running it were.

Gear Drive Pete Jackson Type

[F-BIRD'88]

do not use a gear drive. ever. a great way to give up 25 to 40 horsepower on a SBC.

If you rev up the engine higher than 6000 rpm the solid lifter cam has a advantage
in both power, torque and rpm limit. They typically out perform a hyd cam.
pick a solid lifter cam with about 6 deg more duration @.050" than a hyd cams .050" duration to account for the solid lifters valve lash.

If you like rpm, power and torque the solid lifter cam is better.
Setting the valve lash and maintaining the valve lash thru periodic valve lash maintanice
is pain free when you have a good valve lash adjustment method. They are not a pain at all to set and maintain.

I like the Isky solid flat tappet cams for street strip stuff.
They always work real well.
have a look
ISKY Racing Cams - Do It Right. Race with the Legend. Camshafts, Connecting Rods, Valve Springs, Lifters

[F-BIRD'88]

AS for power brakes and mainifold vacuum and cam selection you can use a cam that is bigger than
the XE274H-10 cam. The engine set up matters. A axillary electric vacuum pump helps as well as a add on vacuum reservoir.

I do and have run much bigger cams than this and power brakes without the aid of either, thou.
The engine set up is critical and makes all the difference. (torque converter,,, ignition timing curve)
First thing to do is check for power brake vacuum diaphram leaks.

Any all of the ready made bolt on street rod "block hugger" shorty ehaders are going to really limit the power this engine can make.. Your first priority should be to custom make some long tube 1-5/8" or 1-3/4" headers for your car.

None of your fooling around with different cams etc will make up for this. The bigger Magnum cams or any other real cam will not work good with crappy shorty headers.
The cam and headers must work together. Long tube is best. A decent well fabricated custom shorty race header can work well (the cam grind is different for4 these)
but do not expect big things from the bolt on stuff.
If that is your choice the XE274H-10 hyd cam is about as good as any.
The exhaust will limit the power.

[logan1]

Approximately how much power will i be losing by using Shorty headers as oppose to long tube?

I dint realize that the scavenging effect of long tube headers had such a large affect on engine HP.

Also i am currently intending to run the Comp cam 292H cam with 292/292, Lift .501/.501,. Not sure yet on if i want to switch to a solid lifter cam as this is mostly a street car.

[vinniekq2]

Originally Posted by logan1

Approximately how much power will i be losing by using Shorty headers as oppose to long tube?

I dint realize that the scavenging effect of long tube headers had such a large affect on engine HP.

Also i am currently intending to run the Comp cam 292H cam with 292/292, Lift .501/.501,. Not sure yet on if i want to switch to a solid lifter cam as this is mostly a street car.

those long duration cams give you a very lumpy sounding idle.

the sound rarely matches the performance