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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

'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.

 

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.

 

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

 

A member from Windsor has the 303's, maybe he will pipe up

 

Should be no issues running either a B or an E cam with the stock 85 pistons and 85 or 87 heads.


cheers
Ed N.

 

Dave, if you're changing the heads anyways it takes 5 minutes to check PTV clearance. I'm going to assume you're going to be good with either cam but MAKE SURE you check PTV!!

 

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.