e303 cam in a stock 85 GT question.
02-02-2011, 08:59 PM
#1
e303 cam in a stock 85 GT question.
OK, I posted this on GTAMC and am also putting it on here. Between the 2 maybe I cam get a answer and maybe even get a lead on a good used cam, sheesh, they seem to be hard to find. Here it is ....
Before anyone jumps all over me, I have used the search and came up blank. I have looked online and get conflicting reports, thats why I am asking HERE. I want to hear from someone who HAS done it. Here is the scenario, I have a basically bone stock 1985 GT, I am planning on putting a set of shorty headers on ( I have them now) I would like to put a set of mildy ported e7's on it (have them too) . It has a performer intake and a new 600 holley on it. As well as a 8.8 with 3:73's and a true dual exhaust system. Heres the problem, I would like to put either a b303 or a e303 cam in it, ( before all the letter cam haters jump in , we all know God himself designed those cams ) will they work without hitting the pistons ? I was under the impression that 85 & 86 had flat tops and there would be piston to valve clearance issues? Then I have read that only the 86's had the flat tops ? I was reading a article in Muscle Mustangs and Fast Ford and it shows a stock 85 Capri undergoing a cam change and it has notched pistons? WTF ? Article link here ----> http://www.musclemustangfastfords.co.../photo_10.html
So, has anyone out there done this exact swap, a e303 or a b303 in a stock 85? Thanks , Dave.
P.S. If anyone has either the e303 or b303 cam or something very similar like a TFS1 they want to part with at a reasonable price , let me know.
Before anyone jumps all over me, I have used the search and came up blank. I have looked online and get conflicting reports, thats why I am asking HERE. I want to hear from someone who HAS done it. Here is the scenario, I have a basically bone stock 1985 GT, I am planning on putting a set of shorty headers on ( I have them now) I would like to put a set of mildy ported e7's on it (have them too) . It has a performer intake and a new 600 holley on it. As well as a 8.8 with 3:73's and a true dual exhaust system. Heres the problem, I would like to put either a b303 or a e303 cam in it, ( before all the letter cam haters jump in , we all know God himself designed those cams ) will they work without hitting the pistons ? I was under the impression that 85 & 86 had flat tops and there would be piston to valve clearance issues? Then I have read that only the 86's had the flat tops ? I was reading a article in Muscle Mustangs and Fast Ford and it shows a stock 85 Capri undergoing a cam change and it has notched pistons? WTF ? Article link here ----> http://www.musclemustangfastfords.co.../photo_10.html
So, has anyone out there done this exact swap, a e303 or a b303 in a stock 85? Thanks , Dave.
P.S. If anyone has either the e303 or b303 cam or something very similar like a TFS1 they want to part with at a reasonable price , let me know.
02-02-2011, 09:44 PM
#2
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 17,778
The '85 pistons are notched,but i am not sure if it is still enough room or not.I beleive there is.I remember when i was looking to do a cam with my old '85,i think i was told i would be okey as long as i stayed with the stock rocker arm ratio,but instead i ended up rebuilding an '88 long block to replace the '85's.
02-07-2011, 09:20 AM
#3
CMOC Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ontario
Posts: 268
I would check first to make sure you have a roller block.
I 'think' 86 is the first year for the roller so your 85 might not be a roller block.
Either cam should fit ok as is but you must always check before buttoning down just to be safe.
I 'think' 86 is the first year for the roller so your 85 might not be a roller block.
Either cam should fit ok as is but you must always check before buttoning down just to be safe.
02-07-2011, 09:04 PM
#4
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 17,778
'85 was the first year of the roller block 
,but only for the 5 speed manual equiped 5.0's.The ones with the auto had the non roller,and CFI.
I'm not an expert,but i did have an '85 GT for 6 years that i totally rebuilt,and changed almost every part,was my first real hands on mustang.....with the help from a few others.
,but only for the 5 speed manual equiped 5.0's.The ones with the auto had the non roller,and CFI.I'm not an expert,but i did have an '85 GT for 6 years that i totally rebuilt,and changed almost every part,was my first real hands on mustang.....with the help from a few others.
02-08-2011, 11:19 AM
#5
CMOC Rookie
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Markham
Posts: 53
I know 86's and under didn't have valve reliefs so that kinda sucks, but I mean anything under 500 lift and you should have not clearance problems. I'd say buy the E cam and check piston to valve clearance since you will have the heads off anyways.
11-09-2011, 08:33 AM
#6
CMOC Rookie
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: sarnia
Posts: 47
85 are notched and are roller blocks, only 86 are flat tops, had a f303 in a 85 block .512 lift no problems put a e303 in my friends 86 stock engine no problems and has been driving for four years 1.6 rockers in 85 and 86
Last edited by 82blacksunshine; 11-09-2011 at 08:36 AM. Reason: rocker ratio
11-09-2011, 10:00 PM
#10
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Slave Lake, AB
Posts: 6,871
So to put this thread off topic as I am so good at I must point out something here. I noticed you said that you searched first so noone would jump all over you and I have never understood that. Why is it when you ask a question on a forum people get all pissed off and feel the need to tell you to search for it. It most often seems to happen with new members. I have never seen that here which makes me happy and I myself have no problem answering the same questions a few times. Isn't the point of these message forums to converse with people who have a common interest. Again another reason why I spend more time here than all of the other forums I am on combined. Sorry for the rant guys. lol. Oh and I meant this in no way as an attack on anyone if it sounds that way, just my opinion.
