'89 OMC 460 Camshaft

[Trevthefox]

Found a lifter failure on our 460 and it looks like we're going to swap cam shafts as a result. Need some advice on choosing the right camshaft. The book only gives the specs on lobe lift of this engine. (Intake .285 Exhaust .290 with max allowable lift loss .005) Most websites only give valve lift specs now which isn't a big issue since I know the rocker arm ratio. I was able to find a couple cams that are within the lobe lift specs, but not exact.

My only worry now is duration. The book doesn't give me the specs for intake and exhaust duration. Any clue on those specs?

Also, I do have a donor 460 (wasn't in the greatest shape). I could remove that cam and get it polished, but was thinking if I spend and extra $60 - $100 I would have a brand new cam. I greatly appreciate any advice you guys might have.

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Call a cam company, 'n tell 'em you need a cam that builds power from idle to 4800 rpms,.....

A Hot Rod cam, that will get you in trouble, won't build power til 1500 rpms, or higher,.....

 

[kenny nunez]

Contact Cam Motion in Baton Rouge, la. They can copy your present cam and grind you an exact replacement.

 

[Scott Danforth]

not that many choices for an FE in a boat

https://www.hardin-marine.com/p-11682-comp-cams-ford-460-hydraulic-camshaft.aspx

this is the largest recommended in a boat with wet exhaust

if you change cams, remember, with a flat tappet, you need a whole lot more than just the cam..... like all new lifters.

here is a list of the 4 cams available

https://www.compcams.com/products/c...age/marine/rpm-operating-range/1174-5023.html

this is close to what was in there
https://www.compcams.com/xtreme-mar...flat-cam-and-lifter-kit-for-ford-429-460.html

so did you determine why the lifter failed? with a flat tappet cam, you need zinc in the oil

 

[Trevthefox]

Ayuh,...... Call a cam company, 'n tell 'em you need a cam that builds power from idle to 4800 rpms,.....

A Hot Rod cam, that will get you in trouble, won't build power til 1500 rpms, or higher,.....

I called comp cams. I'll need to talk to someone else over there because the original guy didn't help much

 

[Trevthefox]

Contact Cam Motion in Baton Rouge, la. They can copy your present cam and grind you an exact replacement.

That sounds pretty good depending on the price. I'll give them a call. thanks

 

[Trevthefox]

not that many choices for an FE in a boat

https://www.hardin-marine.com/p-11682-comp-cams-ford-460-hydraulic-camshaft.aspx

this is the largest recommended in a boat with wet exhaust

if you change cams, remember, with a flat tappet, you need a whole lot more than just the cam..... like all new lifters.

here is a list of the 4 cams available

https://www.compcams.com/products/c...age/marine/rpm-operating-range/1174-5023.html

this is close to what was in there
https://www.compcams.com/xtreme-mar...flat-cam-and-lifter-kit-for-ford-429-460.html

so did you determine why the lifter failed? with a flat tappet cam, you need zinc in the oil

Thanks for the links. Yeah these were some that I was checking out. That 1st like link has a higher lift than what the book has. I'm wondering if I'll need to change valve springs with that as well.

As far as trying to figure out what caused the original failure, I'm still thinking about it. We recently took apart the whole engine. New cam bearings, new rod bearings, new main bearings. re-lapped the valves, new gaskets, and new lifters. The cam and crankshaft looked good. Wondering if we had a bad replacement lifter or if lifter bore has oval-ed a bit. Still not sure. Out of all the possible reasons why, I think I've narrowed it down to improper break in or lifter bore being the cause.

 

[Trevthefox]

with a flat tappet cam, you need zinc in the oil

We did use that additive

if you change cams, remember, with a flat tappet, you need a whole lot more than just the cam..... like all new lifters.

here is a list of the 4 cams available

How about this one?

https://www.compcams.com/xtreme-energy-computer-controlled-hydraulic-flat-cam-for-ford-429-460.html

lobe lift seems to stay within the .005 loss limit

 

[Scott Danforth]

with a flat tappet, replacement lifters are "iffy" at best.

you still need to go thru the whole break-in period.

the cam you posted doesnt state marine. also, dont see a cam card, and the specs are not clear if the 268 duration is at 0 or .050"

if at 0, then it would be OK

 

[Trevthefox]

with a flat tappet, replacement lifters are "iffy" at best.

you still need to go thru the whole break-in period.

the cam you posted doesnt state marine. also, dont see a cam card, and the specs are not clear if the 268 duration is at 0 or .050"

if at 0, then it would be OK

Hey Scott
Do you know what is the acceptable range of duration for the 460's?

 

[Scott Danforth]

nothing to do with 460's, its a water cooled exhaust thing. you must have your duration below 270 degrees with wet exhaust. if you go above 270, you must invest in dry lined exhaust back to the transom.

more than 270 and you have reversion

 

[Trevthefox]

nothing to do with 460's, its a water cooled exhaust thing. you must have your duration below 270 degrees with wet exhaust. if you go above 270, you must invest in dry lined exhaust back to the transom.

more than 270 and you have reversion

Hey Scott,

Sorry to resurrect this older post but you seem to know the most about these camshafts. We decided not to pull the cam and just put in a new lifter and break in the cam again. We wanted to get some fishing in and went with a quick/temporary fix. Well that worked for about 4 trips and now we have the same issue. Lifter has been worn down and now I have a loose rocker arm again from the same lobe. The cam lobes aren't in good shape so we're going to pull the engine and replace the cam. We measured the lift on the lobes and it def time to replace the cam.

You suggested this cam: https://www.compcams.com/xtreme-mar...flat-cam-and-lifter-kit-for-ford-429-460.html

Manual states lobe lift should be .285 intake and .290 exhaust. With the this new cam we would be at .291 intake and .297 exhaust. I'm new to this part on replacing cams but with the higher lift do I need to worry about anything else? Valve to piston clearance or do I need to upgrade my valve springs (current springs in good shape). Or is the difference between the original cam and this cam insignificant ?

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks in advance

 

[Scott Danforth]

just cam, lifters and timing chain

make sure the oil passage for the one lifter is clean.

 

[Trevthefox]

just cam, lifters and timing chain

make sure the oil passage for the one lifter is clean.

Thanks Scott! Sorry for my ignorance but will a replacement timing chain be fine or does it need to be a specific chain from comp cams? I was planning on just buying a melling replacement for the 460's

 

[Scott Danforth]

melling is fine, cloyes is fine, FOMOCO is fine, Comp Cams is fine, Summit Racing Blue Racer series is fine.