field report: 264/274 *12 cam installation

[falcon fanatic]

Okay, here's the deal.

Timing mark was in fact off and ideal timing (using vacuum method) comes in at 16*.
Cam is degreed correctly. a reevaluation find center at 8.5*, so only one half degree from where I thought it was.
Compression test looks fine, BUT leakdown test reveals 40% loss on #1 and not much better on the rest.

The verdict: Time for a rebuild. Yay! Builder wants to go 10:1 compression for pump gas, good balance, and otherwise stock. That oughta work a wee bit better than the leaky 8.8:1 I have now. Going to Precision Engine Machine in Hyattsville, MD. They did an awesome job on my head, so they get the bottom end, too. Should have it back in three weeks, so will report then.

 

[falcon fanatic]

I have to say, it is reassuring to know I actually did everything right. Except the diagnosis, of course, but I always suspected that #1...

 

[Broncitis]

You will probably have to run premium since DC isn't much above sea level, theres a give and take once you start pushing the limits of pump gas, especially if you have to back off your advance, although I think there are alot of log heads running 10-1.

 

[Broncitis]

One other thing, with a moderate build like yours, I would at least go with ARP rod bolts, weakest part of bottom end.

 

[falcon fanatic]

Yep, I'll make sure to beef up everything that needs beefing and balance whatever can be balanced. My machinist builds mostly race engines and I told him I wanted this to go for more than 100,000 miles, so he'll err on the side of strong. I'm aiming for about a 5,500 rpm shift point. My plan is to be overbuilt for that so that I can drive the cr*p out of it without having to worry my pretty little head whether it will break.