Roller CAM -FE

[RICK LAKE]

patrickt it's about what kind of sex you want to have. Just like what camshaft and lifter you want to run in your motor. 8,000 rpms solids win out, street motor with a 6,200-6,500 limit making alot of torque, hydro rollers. If you have the money, Schubecks in aluminum and any size camshaft and spring combo you want. I believe a hydro roller with proper maintain ance will last 100K miles. In the old days a solid motor would last 70-80K miles with todays cheap metals, mileage is less, some because of the oil and lack of zinc and other needed sliding materials needed. What works for some doesn't work for others. You like solids and I see no problem. Only lash is your enemy and how much lash is in the valve train. Rick L.

[patrickt]

... the sound. Solids, be it flat or roller, just sound so much better than hydros. For a Cobra, you just gotta have that sound, IMHO. And adjusting the lash is really a joy. I can take all day adjusting valve lash (in fact, as slow as I work, it does take me all day to adjust 16 valves...).

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by patrickt

... the sound. Solids, be it flat or roller, just sound so much better than hydros. For a Cobra, you just gotta have that sound, IMHO. And adjusting the lash is really a joy. I can take all day adjusting valve lash (in fact, as slow as I work, it does take me all day to adjust 16 valves...).

Patrick,
I can't agree with you more. To me, the sound of solid lifters tapping away in close knit syncopation is the soundtrack of my youth. It still gives me goosebumps when I hear a raucous idle and solids tapping in the back round. Certainly hydraulic rollers, for most FE's, make a lot more sense. However, to me a Cobra is not a car that makes a whole lot of sense, instead it's a visceral, joyful experience. This is the only reason my engine (if it ever runs) is equipped with a solid roller cam. I can't wait to hear it. Keith Craft, who speced out the whole engine and supplied all the technical parts, is predicting in excess of 625 HP and over 600 Ft. Lbs of torque. With that on tap, I can't wait to feel it, either!

[afret]

Patrick,
I can't agree with you more. To me, the sound of solid lifters tapping away in close knit syncopation is the soundtrack of my youth. It still gives me goosebumps when I hear a raucous idle and solids tapping in the back round. Certainly hydraulic rollers, for most FE's, make a lot more sense. However, to me a Cobra is not a car that makes a whole lot of sense, instead it's a visceral, joyful experience. This is the only reason my engine (if it ever runs) is equipped with a solid roller cam. I can't wait to hear it. Keith Craft, who speced out the whole engine and supplied all the technical parts, is predicting in excess of 625 HP and over 600 Ft. Lbs of torque. With that on tap, I can't wait to feel it, either!

If you don't mind me asking, what are specs on your solid roller and what springs are you going to run? Thanks!

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by afret

If you don't mind me asking, what are specs on your solid roller and what springs are you going to run? Thanks!

Nah, I don't mind at all. The specs are 255/262 at .050 with .383 lobe lift and a 112 lobe separation. It will be installed at 4 degrees advanced at 108. This cam should give .674 lift on both the intake and the exhaust before lash with 1.76 rockers.
As far as springs, I don't know! I bought the Stage II heads from Keith, and he installed the proper matching springs on the heads with titanium retainers. I never did ask him for the spring specs. The cam, as you can see, is big enough to make lots of power, yet small enough to not be too difficult. Should be fun. The rest of the valve train and intake is a set of Harland Sharp roller rockers and stands, and a port matched Performer RPM with all the markings and logos ground off and bead blasted for a more original look, with a Quick Fuel 950 carb, all original gold color, with LeMans bowls. Should run good and look good too. If I can only get a darned block now......