[71 Ventura II]

I sold the "Performer" off my 400 and during the intake swap I decided why not change cams!? Can I swap cams in my Ventura with only pulling the radiator and tranny cooler? OR does the front grill assembly have to come out too? JD

FWIW
Out the Crower #60916

In: Crower #60311 solid

[BILTIT]

I am pretty sure you can do it without pulling the front grill support. I will be starting on mine today hopefully.

[71 Ventura II]

Good deal, I'm going to start on it as soon as my gaskets come in and the drift keys show up for degreeing the cam. I can't wait to hear the 400 "crackle" with the solid cam! Good luck on your cam swap as well! JD

[71 Ventura II]

BILTIT, I was looking at your signiture, one of the cams listed looks close to the one I'm going to use.

#60311 w/1.5 .505/.517 @0.050 .247/.252 adv 292/302 lsa 112 lash .022/.024

I'm going to run it with my 1.65 rockers. .555/.569 @0.050 .251/.256
My deal is having close to .550 lift after lash.
.533/.545 is pretty close and will work with my Crower #68404 spring set up.

I'm guessing a power range of 3000-6500 in the 400. I have the 3500 converter to swap and the Torker II.

Fingers crossed to meet you in the high 11's! JD

[BILTIT]

I am actually putting in the bigger of the two (Ultradyne). Decided the smaller one will not be enough of a difference to warrant the work to change. Go big or go home i guess! Now, off i go to get my nitrous bottle filled for the first time!!

[BILTIT]

Hope you make it, i hope for alittle more into the 11's N/A (11.7-11.8) and maybe one run into the 10's with N2O (before they boot me for not having a cage). I am swapping cams to get closer to .600 lift and to swap to solid, my springs are good to about .650 lift. The extra duration will sound nice!!

[ponjohn]

Question:

Both cam swaps are going bigger.

In both cases did you prepare for this in advance?
How do you know you won't have coil bind and/or interference to the piston?

I know I do not have enough "room" my heads were set up for 525 max lift. Hindsight being 20/20 bad move, it is what it is.

John

[Rob B]

Like John said, check coil bind before you put everything back together and start it. Only takes a second and can save you alot of cussin and swearin. And are you sure the springs you have on the heads now are compatable?

[BILTIT]

My heads were set up for 650 lift before coil bind. I will be double checking. I have a 30cc dish and large valve reliefs so i have alot of room for greater valve opening.

[71 Ventura II]

Originally Posted by Rob B

Like John said, check coil bind before you put everything back together and start it. Only takes a second and can save you alot of cussin and swearin. And are you sure the springs you have on the heads now are compatable?

When I called KRE to ask about required valve springs they recommended my #68404's with the #60311. The machine shop set up my springs and guide clearances to handle what they called a little more than .550 lift. My heads already have the elongated pushrod slots. At a net lift of .535-.545 there shouldn't be any piston to valve issues, especially with the piston 0.016 down in the hole. I'm not saying it's impossible but I'd sure be shocked if I had a clearance problem.

I'll for sure rotate the engine by hand to check for interference! Thanks for the reminder! As long as the springs don't touch and there's no binding it should be ok. Anyone remember the old trick of measuring coil bind with a credit card? LOL Thanks again... JD

[ponjohn]

Originally Posted by 71 Ventura II

Anyone remember the old trick of measuring coil bind with a credit card? LOL Thanks again... JD

Is that where you charge another set of springs?

[71 Ventura II]

Originally Posted by ponjohn

Is that where you charge another set of springs?

I suppose that would work as well! I'm referring to the checking the valve-springs while the engine is running. If you can slip a match book cover or credit card in-between 2-3 coils of the valve-spring, without it grabbing/pinching, then your good to go. My #68404's set @1.600 had 117-120 seat and 290 @.500, so At .535/.545 I'm sure they will be at least 300 lbs which is more than enough spring. DiamondJim ran the same springs in his 428 with a .575 lift solid cam, so I should be good to go!

Plan B, would be to buy the longer valves and a set of the #68405 springs that install @1.700. I don't like the Comp 995's so Crower will have to do. JD

[Rob B]

The only other problem you might have (I mean minor) is that you may have to loosen the front grill support to clear the camshaft. Good luck with the swap!

[71 Ventura II]

Originally Posted by Rob B

The only other problem you might have (I mean minor) is that you may have to loosen the front grill support to clear the camshaft. Good luck with the swap!

Thanks for the heads-up, I'm lucky my front bumper is off which makes it easier. Plus my car has no latch mechanism, so there's a straight shot for the cam. I was able to get most of the topend valve-train and front accessories off the engine today. I should have it swapped out by this weekend weather permitting. Thanks again for all the feedback, it truly does help! JD

[BILTIT]

I have not yet started but hoping to get at it tomorrow and have it done to go racing friday night but thats a stretch!

[BILTIT]

Well i have the old cam out and new cam in. Have to degree it (106) and set valves and assemble (called it a night-2AM). I had to loosen 3 of the bolts on the latch bracing pieces. A couple pics. You can see the rocker marks on the valve tip. Everything looks good so tomorrow (thursday) i will be finishing up i hope! Anybody have any suggestions for cold lash settings? Card says .026/.026 (hot).

71venturaII-I hope you don't mind me putting it here, i can move it if you like. I thought it may be of help.

[ponjohn]

Is that blood on the rag near the Dist? Hope not.

Looking good.

[Rob B]

.020 Int .022 Ex hot! Cold, back them down to around .018 and .020.

[BILTIT]

Originally Posted by ponjohn

Is that blood on the rag near the Dist? Hope not.

Looking good.

Haha no, thats cam lube. Might aswell be blood though, i am sure i shed some.

[BILTIT]

Originally Posted by Rob B

.020 Int .022 Ex hot! Cold, back them down to around .018 and .020.

Thanks, i will try that. I thought .026 seemed like alot.