camshaft advice
 

Ok experts,

I need some advice on camshaft selection.

I have a 1984 Fountain 10 Meter. It has #2's w/ a high X dimension.

I am rebuilding the 454's in the thing. Heads are cast iron #14092360 "PASS" is also stamped on the head, Dart intake, Holley 850, Imco Powerflo exh., Crane roller rockers (1.7). I'm looking at 9.5 to 1 or 10 to 1 comp. I would like reasonable idle quality (pleasure boat). I do want the biggest bang for my buck.

Thanks for the help...

Bryan

I used the Crane hydraulic roller #139741 in a 454"a few years ago.
That motor was similar to yours.

2,25/1,88 valves
Harland Sharp 1,7 roller rockers
Brodix intake
Holley 850
9,7:1 cr
Lightning headers

It worked very well,idle at 800,top end 5500.
Make sure to use good valves and springs,
I used SS intake and inconel exhaust valves
Isky triple springs.

Good luck.

Those heads are the small oval port variety. Assuming they have not been worked extensively, you need to put money into a good set of heads while doing the cam. Large oval port Merlins seem to be popular amongst these guys on OSO.

Dave

Dave,

The head have been ported but I believe just to the intake. The heads are in good shape. I don't really want to buy different heads if I can help it. I guessed that 500 horse is reasonable with the parts I have.

That is unless someone has a deal on heads...

Bryan

I wouldn't bother trying to get any real horsepower from those peanut port heads. A set of 781's or 049's fitted with 2.19int 1.88 exh. would help to wake a 454 up. The best valves you can possibly afford is also a good idea, along with hard exh. seat inserts. After having done this to several motors ,I have realized that a set of Merlins new out of the box is a great deal. Vortech heads would be great, but cost too much and still have small valves. The big cost even after finding good used valves and springs, is the machine work. Consider also a piston change to increase compression. I have a set of 781's laying around, but have over $600 of work in them not including parts. I have many sets of most markIV heads made! I don't have all the answers, But posess many of them. It costs much more money in the long run to play around and try to get cheap horsepower than it does to just save up and spend time and money wisely. Everything has to work properly together. BBB

Bryan, I think you will have a hard time getting over the 400hp mark let alone 500hp without addressing the heads. Doesn't matter what you do anywhere else (cam), whatever the bottle neck, thats all you get. Heads are it for you at the moment.

I guess I'm lokking for two sets of heads.

Damn...

Who has four heads and prices?

Thanks- Bryan