170 Cam swap

D

Does10s

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I'm a newly converted V8 guy (well not really converted!) and I need some info regarding cam removal/install for my wife's '63 Falcon w/170. Do you have to remove the head to get to the lifters? I've done many a 302/351 buildups but never a straight 6! The motor was rebuilt by the previous owner about 1.5hrs of run time ago and the camshaft is totally incorrect. .350 lift, 245/245 @.050", 106 Lobe center! This is pretty much a race only car but it has a Ford-o-matic! So I need to swap with something that'll produce a bunch more torque at a lower RPM.
Our ETs/mph were 20.6@65mph....pathetic!
Thanks,
Will
"Does10s"
 
You cam doesn't seem too extreme to me except the lift is pretty low. My 260H from Comp Cams is .44 lift, 212/212 @ .050 with a lobe of 110. My car has a good amount of low end grunt. Definitely breaths better.

If you want more power, there are a couple of things. Consider swapping a 200 into the car. Are you dead set on an Auto? Try a T5.

You'll find that with the inline 6's, the number one problem is breathing. The log intake kills it. The engine has a lot of potential, except for the log. Most major power modifications require addressing the intake log. Several options, Offenhauser (which I did along with others), Aussie head (which I'm doing now, others have done it), Argentina head (some people have done), or some custom work on the head (again, a lot of people have done that around here).

Consider spending the money to get the ford six performance handbook. Great reference about getting power out of this engine.

http://falconperformance.sundog.net/

Also, look around a lot of pages here.

Slade
 
Slade,
Thanks for your inputs! I've been hanging out on this site for months now! Just haven't posted yet! I've got the Performance Handbook. Been working with AZCoupe for a OZ head/motor etc.. My wife wants this car to do 12's with a 6 cyl. Hence my "future turbo" in my sig. Other future plans will be a 250, Holley blow thru carb setup, C4 auto w/2800-3000 stall. It already has a 9" w/4.56s, Granada discs on the front. The car itself is setup great...just needs some power!
Will
 
Good...Mike is the man to work with.

I'm eventually going to add a Turbo, but will probably convert to EFI when I do that. 12s with a 6 will be very impressive (and I don't mean that sarcastically).

There are a lot of cam selections out there. Definitely get something with more lift.

Comp Cams,
Isky
Crane
Clifford,

and now Mike (AZCOUPE) all have cams for the 200. Personally though, if you are going to swap in a 200 or 250, don't waste the money on the cam now. swapping in the 200 or 250 will give you a bigger power increase then the cam will on the 170, and you won't have to end up buying 2 cams. 200s can be had really cheap these days.

Slade
 
If I were building a drag car, I would definately consider a 300.
 
Alright a fellow Tucsonan! Cool!
I thought about a 300 but I'm concerned with the fit in a '63 Falcon. I don't want to cut up the car to bad. It's a very straight car. It still has the original paint on it! Can a 300 fit without any crazy mods to the firewall/rad support?
The reason for the cam swap is just to better what we've got until I can get a 250 purchased/built/installed. But if I have to pull the head I may just wait and really start looking for a new motor.
Will
 
Alright a fellow Tucsonan! Cool!
Click to expand...

8) hey i get back there in the winter! i have a 250 that i bought for my falcon, and i would suggest you pick up a 200 or a 300 if you really want 12's.
 
Why not a 250? I understand the RPM limitations with the longer stroke but a turbo motor works great at lower RPMs. So why not have an extra 50 cubes? I don't expect that we've have to take the motor above 6k anyway. At least that's the goal.
So the question remains....does the head have to come off to pull the lifters? We're racing this thing next week at the PSCA race in Tucson and I would like to get some more power before then. And I'm pretty sure the camshaft isn't working with the converter in the 2-speed. The thing is absolutely pathetic off the line!
Will
 
Will,

Yes the head does have to be removed to remove the lifters, and I (if I'm read your post correctely) believe part of your problem is the 2 speed automatic.....swap to a C-4 :wink:

Later,

Doug
 
Mustang_Geezer,
Yes I think that most of my problem is the Ford-o-matic POS. It's consuming a good 35% of the 170's power! And it takes 100ft. to shift into high! Don't worry a C4/manual valve body/transbrake will be going into this thing! That'll be the same time that a new motor goes in! The only way this Falcon will do a 12 is to get it off the line. Top end MPH isn't as important.
Thanks for all the help...I'll keep you up to date as to the progress!
So for now, no new cam and bracket race the thing to death in the 20's until I build a new motor/tranny. At least my wife can fry the other racers converter waiting for the tree!
Thanks,
Will
 
I had a ride in a 12 second car once. I am thinking that making a 63 falcon with a 30 to 40 year old I6 do 12 seconds,,,, well your name had better be Jesus. But hey, what the heck do I know. Not much really, other than I'd like another ride in a 12 second car. :lol:
 
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