2011 - Crane Cams

CAMSHAFTS
Ford Small Block V8 Tech Tips & Notes
1962-1987 221-255 (4.2L) – 260-289-302 (5.0L)
cu.in. V8 and 1988-1995 302 (5.0L) cu.in. V8
trucks (except 1982-1995 302 (5.0L) H.O.)
Ford’s modern line of small block V8 engines was introduced
in 1962, with the 221 and 260 cu.in. versions. This
engine family (properly referred to as the Windsor, even if it
isn’t the 351 cu.in. variety) has inline lifter bores in the
block, and cylinder heads with inline valves equipped with
1.6:1 ratio rocker arms. The firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8.
These engines are designated by Crane’s 36 prefix. We offer
hydraulic, hydraulic roller (retrofit and OE style), mechanical,
and mechanical roller camshafts for them. A wide-ranging
line of valve train components is also available.
The 1962 and 1963 cylinder heads have 5/16” diameter
valve stems (different valve spring retainers, valve locks,
and valve stem seals required), while the 1964 and later
engines have 11/32” valve stems.
From 1962 to 1965, the rocker arm studs were a straight
3/8” diameter adjustable configuration. In 1966, bottleneck
3/8 – 5/16” rocker arm studs were installed, resulting in a
non-adjustable configuration. The exception would be the
HiPo 289 engines, offered through 1967, which had
mechanical lifter camshafts, and retained the adjustable
style straight 3/8” studs. Our 99768-16 positive locking nuts
will permit valve adjustment on the bottleneck stud applications.
In 1977, a net lash pedestal mount rocker arm system
was installed, continuing with the remainder of production
through 1995. These pedestal mount rocker cylinder
heads can be easily converted to an adjustable configuration
for hydraulic and hydraulic roller street applications
by using our Pushrod Guideplate Conversion Kits. Part number
36655-16 provides for 3/8” stud mounted adjustable
rocker arms, and 36656-16 is for 7/16” stud mounted rocker
arms. No machining is necessary, and your standard pushrods
can be maintained, thanks to the composite bushing
inserts in the pushrod guideplates. For mechanical and
mechanical roller applications, we advise the heads be
machined for screw-in rocker arm studs and pushrod guideplates.
The production and aftermarket cylinder heads for the
Windsor and Cleveland families all have the same valve layout,
with the exception of the Gurney-Weslake pieces. If you
are fortunate to have a set of these, we can custom produce
a roller camshaft having the proper lobe layout.
Most 1985-1987 302, all 1988-97 302 passenger car, and all
1996-2000 302 truck engines are equipped with hydraulic
roller camshafts and lifters. The firing order of 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-
8 is maintained for these applications. Conventional hydraulic,
mechanical, and roller lifter camshafts can be installed in
these engines if the appropriate kit components are used.
The 1985-95 302 H.O. engines, although closely related,
have a different firing order, and are discussed later on this
page.
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1969-1970 Boss 302 V8
Specifically developed for the Trans Am road racing series,
the Boss 302 had canted valve “Cleveland” style cylinder
heads installed on the 302 block. Since these heads have
large ports and valves, and are intended for constant high
RPM usage, a street driven application should have a relatively
mild camshaft installed to enhance the torque and
drivability. Rocker arm studs are a straight 7/16” diameter,
with adjustable 1.73:1 ratio rocker arms required for the factory
installed mechanical lifter camshaft. Although the
valves are staggered, the same length pushrods are used
for the intake and exhaust.
Due to the Boss heads’ different valve spring requirements,
and the increased rocker ratio, this engine is designated by
Crane’s 27 prefix (even though the camshaft is physically
the same as the 36 prefix). We offer hydraulic, retrofit
hydraulic roller, mechanical, and mechanical roller camshafts
for them. An extensive line of valve train components
is also available.
1985-1995 5.0L (302) H.O. V8
Although closely related to the standard 302, the 1985-95
5.0L H.O. are equipped with hydraulic roller lifters, with
camshafts having a firing order of 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 (the same
as the 351 Windsor). Our 44 prefix designates these engines.
The camshafts are dimensionally the same as the 36 prefix,
with the different firing order constituting the primary
change. Camshafts can be interchanged, providing the necessary
changes are performed for the proper firing order.
We offer hydraulic, hydraulic roller, mechanical, and
mechanical roller camshafts. A wide-ranging line of valve
train components is also available.
The standard pedestal mount rocker cylinder heads can be
easily converted to an adjustable configuration for hydraulic
and hydraulic roller street applications by using our
Pushrod Guideplate Conversion Kits. Part number 36655-
16 provides for 3/8” stud mounted adjustable rocker arms,
and 36656-16 is for 7/16” stud mounted rocker arms. No
machining is necessary, and your standard pushrods can be
maintained, thanks to the composite bushing inserts in the
pushrod guideplates. For mechanical and mechanical roller
applications, we advise the heads be machined for screw-in
rocker arm studs and pushrod guideplates.
1993-1995 SVT Cobra 5.0 Mustangs were factory equipped
with aluminum needle bearing roller tip 1.7:1 pedestal
mount rocker arms. These are our 44746-16, designed for
basic bolt-on installation, but make sure to check for adequate
spring travel due to the increased valve lifts when
installing on other engines.