390 Cam Choice

[Sabatona]

Hi Guys:

I am planning to replace the stock cam in my 66 390, and I am wanting some advice as to what the best cam might be for my application.

Gas mileage is not an issue.

Vehicle specs

66 Cyclone Convertible

4 Speed

3:25 closed rear

stock intake, exhaust manifolds. Dual exhaust.

bored .040 over

10:1 compression

AC

Wanting a lope type idle, and of course a good range of power.

I have been looking at Comp Cams 270H and 275DEH. Not sure if the dual energy is a good way to go in an FE or not.

Wanting a cam that will increase power, have a lope idle, but will be reliable.

Any and all help/advice would be appreciated. Len

[popscomet]

I have a 1963 390,with 63 406 heads and a 428 factory alumn police intersepter 4bbl ,intake,with a pointless dist with a 600 holly carb,in a 1966 ford PU ,3spd tranny with 3.50 rear gear,with dual exhaust and mufflers from a muffler shop,TOmorrow ,I will do my very best to find the cam card and get the info to you...,this cam has a sweet sound, and it does real good in this pick up,I pull a race car a lot with this truck,best I recall this cam starts working right off idel up to 5500 rpm's,,it has never stopped pulling for me..I love it!! this may work for you and it may not..but if all possible,I'll find the cam card and get back to you,tomorrow...........pop

[Lip Ripper]

I'm running the 270H in my 66 Cyclone conv. It pull's hard and I shift at 5700 rpm's. A cam isn't going to do anything but sound different unless you get rid of those choke hold manifold's and get a better flowing intake. And I think the cam in the 390 GT is the same as the Cobrajet cam so it isn't stock per se.


Let me go find my video on my header install. You'll get an upfront sound check of the 270H.

Here; https://youtu.be/Iu4hz0HkgE4

[Sabatona]

Hi Guys!

Does any one else have a recommendation?

I e mailed Comp Cams and they recommended a 268H (.494 lift, 286 duration).

I did some reading on line and read that the 390 benefits from a dual cut cam as it performs better with more lift/duration on the exhaust side so it can breath better.

Based on this, I was looking at the Comp Cams #275 DEH.
Lift: Intake .515, Exh .541
Duration: Intake .298, Exh .313

Would be great to hear if anyone has actually used the 275DEH or the 268H.

Also found quite a few people that went with the 280H (5.30 lift, 230 duration).

Any info would be greatly appreciated as I need to decide and order the cam this week.

Thanks! Len

[vicegrip]

You will need adjustable rocker arms for the last two cams. If your in an out aren't improved,it might sound mean but performance gains will be compromised. You might try Brent Lykins or Blair Patrick for a cam choice.

[cairnscomet]

Hi
I have a comp 268h in my 390 ranchero ,FPA headers, alloy heads . Nice cam very streetable but a little bit tame 250hp at the wheels,I would go a 270 if I had to do it again

[Sabatona]

Hi all.

Thanks for the information.

I ended up going with the Comp Cams XE262H dual pattern cam: http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam- ... d=938&sb=0

Slightly more lift/duration on the exhaust side, should help it breath.

Went with Crane Lifters and Comp Cams valve springs. Read that the Comp lifters are noisy, Cranes are not...

Also went with a set of Speed Pro forged, flat top pistons: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171057544936?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Motor is being assembled now, hope to have it back in the car by the end of march/early april.

Doing a complete detailing of the engine compartment and accessories at the moment, photos to follow....

[popscomet]

it's all in the detail....pop

[Sabatona]

Hi Guys:

Here are a few pics of the rebuilt and restored 390 4V:







I ended up going with forged flat top pistons as well.

Motor runs great with the XE262H and crane lifters!

[fryedaddy]

if you want to go bigger on your cam later,i ran a 282 hyd comp cam to work and back for 8 years 18 miles each way,gave it to my dad when i went to a 292 and he still has it in his 66 gt fairlane show car.these are all still streetable cams and are really quiet small in the big block world.jmo