352 camshaft removal

[mh434]

I’ve stripped the block down but ran out of time to remove the camshaft this morning. My question is, 390’s have a camshaft retaining plate bolted to the block, doesn’t look to be anything similar on a 352. Do they just pull out ?
Thanks
Jon

[Wyldie]

Hey mate, will just slide out from the front, you need to remove the lifters or they will foul against the cam and stop it sliding out

[mh434]

Great thanks.

Jon

[lake bird]

Question on a 60 T bird cam

Great thanks.

Jon

I noticed my 60 T bird cam has a dome ( mushroom ) shaped end
on the cam gear end...bought a cam set of course it ended up being flat face on the cam gear end,later model.
do they make an after market cam for the 60 yr 352 FE ?
ISKY did make an adapter for the cam end, can't locate one.

Lakebird/Rockwall,Tx

[Woobie]

Around 1962 1/2, 1963 ford changed to the thrust plate style camshaft. If memory serves, the camshaft bearings are also different. Many many vendors will advertise as 58-76 Ford FE when in reality that is far from accurate. You'll find the same with timing chain set offerings. For another opinion Oregon Camshafts have a good reputation with the FE.

[mh434]

[QUOTE=lake bird;114463]I noticed my 60 T bird cam has a dome ( mushroom ) shaped end
on the cam gear end

presumably yours looks something like this ?

[mh434]

I measured at least 3/4 inch of slack in the timing chain when I took it off. Sprockets looked ok, but I will replace sprockets and chain to be on the safe side.

[simplyconnected]

Jon, do you plan on changing cams?

[mh434]

Dave

Assuming the current cam is ok I was intending to keep it. I'm not intending to rebuild it into a fire breathing road monster, just a good reliable (oil tight hopefully) usable motor.

Jon

[simplyconnected]

I'm asking because you can drill and tap two holes in the front of your block, buy a ten dollar thrust plate and then use a more modern (and cheaper) cam. When that happens, you can then buy a 'true roller' timing chain that is inexpensive as well. Here's an example of a set that will work on your block with the thrust plate:

Here is the 1967 timing set (click on the pictures):

This timing set will last three times longer than the conventional chain at US$46.


This mild 192/199 duration cam is US$75.

By doing that simple modification, you can use more modern and much cheaper parts. Early FE engines are constrained to a few expensive parts. For example, try finding a 'true roller' chain for your Squarebird cam and compare the cost.

This cam will improve your engine performance and fuel economy. No, it's not a racing cam. - Dave

[mh434]

Thanks Dave

That's very interesting, I must admit that I hadn't appreciated the differences between the earlier and later cams. So are true roller chains unavailable for early FE's or just hard to get at a reasonable price ? The thrust plate and setup in your photos are presumably from a 390 ?

Jon

[mh434]

Dave

Are the hole locations for the thrust plate blanked / plugged on a 352 ? I have compared my photo to your 390 build and it looks like the location to drill is there, just needs drilling and tapping. Any steer on how deep to go ?

Jon

[Joe Johnston]

If this cam is changed, shouldn't the lifters be changed too?

[mh434]

Joe

Yes, if I change the cam I would put new lifters in and then presumably would have to go through the break-in procedure.

Jon

[Deanj]

May I say I installed a mild performance cam on a Chevy 350 over 20 years ago. It made the worst noise I ever heard while breaking in, and then the noise disappeared and everything was fine. It tested my faith though.

Try getting the timing as close as possible so the engine starts easily. That should reduce heat, also, especially if you break-in the cam in the garage. I should have used a fan in front and one at the rear to help with heat.

Dean