Cam question ?

hk9176251 August 27th 2024, 11:38 pm

I have a 429 cj torino my father ordered new motor has never been out or apart

I would like to get a little more out of it was thinking a cam swap and roller rockers

Is there a cam swap I could do that could gain me 75 or 100 hp I'm not willing to do anything that would change
Anything visually and want to keep it looking factory

Mark Miller August 27th 2024, 11:46 pm

hk9176251 wrote:
I have a 429 cj torino my father ordered new motor has never been out or apart

I would like to get a little more out of it was thinking a cam swap and roller rockers

Is there a cam swap I could do that could gain me 75 or 100 hp I'm not willing to do anything that would change
Anything visually and want to keep it looking factory

I would say that would be a lot to ask for with just a cam and rocker arm change. But that's a Very Nice Car i love the 70-71 Torino Cobras and GT's!!

hk9176251 August 27th 2024, 11:53 pm

Thank you im admittedly not familiar enough with individual components to know what I can and can't expect and thank you for your contribution

rmcomprandy August 28th 2024, 10:25 am

hk9176251 wrote:
I have a 429 cj torino my father ordered new motor has never been out or apart

I would like to get a little more out of it was thinking a cam swap and roller rockers

Is there a cam swap I could do that could gain me 75 or 100 hp I'm not willing to do anything that would change
Anything visually and want to keep it looking factory

You would be better served to get the heads ported and have more rear gear installed; especially if it is an automatic.
With a cam change to get even halfway to 75 horsepower, it would change the entire manners of how the car runs and drives.

hbstang August 28th 2024, 11:45 am

like they said port the heads and intake,a nice hydraulic roller more gear and stall.with a set of FPA headers could add an easy 100 hp.make a ripper!

hk9176251 August 28th 2024, 3:11 pm

rmcomprandy it's a 4 speed close ratio rear gears are 3:50 I feel the gears are good for the driving I do was just looking for a little more power wrote:
hk9176251 wrote:
I have a 429 cj torino my father ordered new motor has never been out or apart

I would like to get a little more out of it was thinking a cam swap and roller rockers

Is there a cam swap I could do that could gain me 75 or 100 hp I'm not willing to do anything that would change
Anything visually and want to keep it looking factory

You would be better served to get the heads ported and have more rear gear installed; especially if it is an automatic.
With a cam change to get even halfway to 75 horsepower, it would change the entire manners of how the car runs and drives.

rmcomprandy August 28th 2024, 8:39 pm

hk9176251 wrote:
rmcomprandy it's a 4 speed close ratio rear gears are 3:50 I feel the gears are good for the driving I do was just looking for a little more power wrote:
hk9176251 wrote:
I have a 429 cj torino my father ordered new motor has never been out or apart

I would like to get a little more out of it was thinking a cam swap and roller rockers

Is there a cam swap I could do that could gain me 75 or 100 hp I'm not willing to do anything that would change
Anything visually and want to keep it looking factory

You would be better served to get the heads ported and have more rear gear installed; especially if it is an automatic.
With a cam change to get even halfway to 75 horsepower, it would change the entire manners of how the car runs and drives.

ANY more power that is camshaft related will come at a higher RPM level.

Dave De August 28th 2024, 10:39 pm

Along with that cam put a 4.3" stroker kit in there for 521 cubes. Torque will be over the top compared to the 3.59" stroke.
But then this is beyond a cam question answered.

the tree man August 28th 2024, 11:45 pm

I had a '70 Torino Cobra, same deal but yellow. CJ,4 speed,shaker,magnums,boy I miss that car. With a stroker that big tub would have been an even more awesome cruiser. Depends on your budget/ability but I'll vouch for the stroker idea if you really want a seat of the pants power/torque increase,it's great on the street.

hk9176251 August 29th 2024, 8:00 am

Dave De wrote:Along with that cam put a 4.3" stroker kit in there for 521 cubes. Torque will be over the top compared to the 3.59" stroke.
But then this is beyond a cam question answered.

I'm in for the stroker idea when it's time for a rebuild
I'm at a little over 63000 now and couldn't justify a complete rebuild not to mention the economy at the moment doesn't exactly have me over run with extra cash at the moment until buissness picks back up

dfree383 August 29th 2024, 9:03 am

If it’s a real original car and it ain’t broke……. Don’t fix it!

supervel45 August 29th 2024, 12:30 pm

dfree383 wrote:If it’s a real original car and it ain’t broke……. Don’t fix it!

Finally someone around here that gets it.

That goes double if your Dad bought it off the lot new and it only has 63,000 miles and is all original !

Dave De August 29th 2024, 9:07 pm

supervel45 wrote:
dfree383 wrote:If it’s a real original car and it ain’t broke……. Don’t fix it!

Finally someone around here that gets it.

That goes double if your Dad bought it off the lot new and it only has 63,000 miles and is all original !

The best thing to do for that package is to get some better rods and pistons in it.

supervel45 August 29th 2024, 10:02 pm

^ Or he could keep the RPM below 6,000 Dave.

Is this Tornio a non restored car with original paint?

If it is they bring very good money nowadays in that condition and are very rare.

Also OP are you running high octane fuel or having to crutch it with the timing retarded to be safe?

Does it have the factory Rev Limiter, looks like the CJ 4 speed were set at 5,800 RPM?

http://429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/ignition.htm

Mark Miller August 29th 2024, 11:24 pm

hk9176251 wrote:
Dave De wrote:Along with that cam put a 4.3" stroker kit in there for 521 cubes. Torque will be over the top compared to the 3.59" stroke.
But then this is beyond a cam question answered.
I'm in for the stroker idea when it's time for a rebuild
I'm at a little over 63000 now and couldn't justify a complete rebuild not to mention the economy at the moment doesn't exactly have me over run with extra cash at the moment until buissness picks back up

I would let it alone if the engine still has good compression and low leak down numbers!! Maybe a set of headers a better intake and carb for now would maybe get you more power than a cam and rocker change!!And a stroker kit if the engine ever comes out!! And then if you ever go with a stroker you already have the better intake,carb and headers to benefit the stroker!!

rmk57 August 30th 2024, 12:29 am

With the shaker hood you won’t be able to fit any other intake other than stock. Even a 3/4” taller intake it really pulls the seal tight, too tight for my liking. Years ago I had a 1970 SCJ Ranchero and this is my experience.

dfree383 August 30th 2024, 7:15 am

Dave De wrote:
supervel45 wrote:
dfree383 wrote:If it’s a real original car and it ain’t broke……. Don’t fix it!

Finally someone around here that gets it.

That goes double if your Dad bought it off the lot new and it only has 63,000 miles and is all original !

The best thing to do for that package is to get some better rods and pistons in it.

Or just leave it alone and drive it like an adult with a vested interest in keeping the car nice and orig

the tree man August 30th 2024, 8:58 am

My 4 speed rev limiter was 5800 and the original CJ was a pingy,fussy thing. I was just learning to hot rod back then but it was a fine line between enough initial timing to clean up the idle/regular driving and death rattle at moderate throttle input. I pirated a Spearco water injection kit off my dad's RV and what a difference! Very crude technology in the early 80's but it sure did the trick,solved 90% of the issue.

Considering the sentimental value of that car to the OP I doubt it will ever see a for sale sign so I wouldn't worry too much about adding or subtracting desirability down the road. If he feels another 100hp will make him happier now and it probably will,the easiest way to start getting there while keeping good street manners is adding 92 cu. in. I'd keep the engine looking outwardly original but work the internals to reach that goal. It's an awesome ride in a cool colour but IMHO the extra torque of big cubes and chop of a snotty cam would only make it awesomer,potentially drive better than the OE engine too. At 63,000 miles you can probably bypass the machine shop also and plug a std bore kit right in. He's going to have to commit though,that's a bit more of a project than a cam change. The CJ cam was pretty mild.

supervel45 August 30th 2024, 4:05 pm

^ What the hey, since we are talking about choked up strokers in heavy cars. Here's one to evaluate.

1970 Torino 429CJ 4 Speed

528 10/1 compression, H-Beam Rods, ported heads, extrude honed exhaust manifolds, 244/252.591"/.611"/112 mechanical camshaft, Re-Worked Q-Jet, 2" Exhaust with Extra Large Walker Turbo mufflers, Centerforce Clutch and Flywheel to hold the power/torque.

Changed out 3.5 gears to 4.11

Performance 13.28 at 107 MPH on Radials

https://www.motortrend.com/features/kevin-youngs-1970-ford-torino/

One thing to keep in mind also is that 429CJ/SCJ exhaust manifolds are expensive these days. They have been known to crack, and when Extrude Honed will be even thinner.

Up side is he kept the OEM external engine parts OEM Ford and the Stock Appearance. No Roller Lifters also a big plus in my book.

It will still Never Be The Same as a Virgin Unmolested High Compression Ford Muscle Car Though With The Original Camshaft and Exhaust Note as it Rolled Off The Dealer Lot Back In The Day, Is my Main Gripe.

PS To Tree Man: I don't Think they make Std. Bore Stroker Pistons that I can Recall. I agree on your idea though as long as the bores could be honed for the proper clearance of forged pistons if they could be had.

The OP could also get a 460 bare block to build his Stroker and keep the 429 short block together, minus the top end. He would still need SCJ non bottleneck rocker studs and stiffer valve springs for much of a cam upgrade and roller rockers. He would need to also make sure his new rocker system will clear is original CJ valve covers.

Mark Miller August 30th 2024, 11:20 pm

rmk57 wrote: With the shaker hood you won’t be able to fit any other intake other than stock. Even a 3/4” taller intake it really pulls the seal tight, too tight for my liking. Years ago I had a 1970 SCJ Ranchero and this is my experience.

I forgot about the Shaker but would a Performer RPM or i think Randy mentioned a Torker II work and could they be ported to match the Cobra Jet Heads?

BBFTorino August 30th 2024, 11:23 pm

The easiest and cheapest way to add 100 hp or more, is with a simple Nitrous Oxide kit.
They make one called a "Top Shot" that fits inside the air cleaner, and the rest is simple.
But you'll also want to upgrade to and electronic ignition if you're still running points.
And install an MSD box with timing retard for nitrous, etc.

Just my 02

dfree383 August 31st 2024, 8:21 am

BBFTorino wrote:The easiest and cheapest way to add 100 hp or more, is with a simple Nitrous Oxide kit.
They make one called a "Top Shot" that fits inside the air cleaner, and the rest is simple.
But you'll also want to upgrade to and electronic ignition if you're still running points.
And install an MSD box with timing retard for nitrous, etc.

Just my 02

Good way to break am original car too.

rmk57 August 31st 2024, 10:46 am

Mark Miller wrote:
rmk57 wrote: With the shaker hood you won’t be able to fit any other intake other than stock. Even a 3/4” taller intake it really pulls the seal tight, too tight for my liking. Years ago I had a 1970 SCJ Ranchero and this is my experience.

I forgot about the Shaker but would a Performer RPM or i think Randy mentioned a Torker II work and could they be ported to match the Cobra Jet Heads?

I tried a Port-o-sonic and it’s one of the lower intakes I believe and it pulled the rubber rain seal down too tight. It would eventually crack the rubber seal if left on over time.

rmcomprandy August 31st 2024, 6:41 pm

rmk57 wrote: With the shaker hood you won’t be able to fit any other intake other than stock. Even a 3/4” taller intake it really pulls the seal tight, too tight for my liking. Years ago I had a 1970 SCJ Ranchero and this is my experience.

That is an incorrect statement ... A "Torquer II" will fit easily and even needs a short spacer to make the height correct.

rmk57 August 31st 2024, 9:48 pm

rmcomprandy wrote:
rmk57 wrote: With the shaker hood you won’t be able to fit any other intake other than stock. Even a 3/4” taller intake it really pulls the seal tight, too tight for my liking. Years ago I had a 1970 SCJ Ranchero and this is my experience.

That is an incorrect statement ... A "Torquer II" will fit easily and even needs a short spacer to make the height correct.

Then a Torquer II must be close to the same height as a stock intake. The TII wasn’t out 30+ years ago when I tried a Port-o-Sonic.
The Shaker seal pretty much rests on the trim ring so there isn’t much room for a taller intake which is a true statement.

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