B303 and other secret Coupe modifications

ChuckG · Post by **ChuckG** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 4:18 pm

I have heard 3 85 coupes run. And I can tell you there was no B cam in them

I don't recall hearing any difference in either of my Coupes as opposed to any other 5.0, but when I put a off-road pipe on the '86, it sounded a lot like the 350H I rented from Hertz a few years ago.

As subtle as the B303 vs stock came distinction is, you can hear it? I can barely hear a much more radical cam in my Vette. I don't even think the speed density system needed adjustment to compensate for the B303. At least I've never heard of any unique programing.

I know my '86 had stamped steel rockers, but I heard it had a prototype hi-rev valvetrain. I don't know where this would matter since if the rev limiter stayed unchanged, it was for nothing.

Maybe we were guinea pigs for Ford Motorsport parts--like we're all beta testers for Microsoft?

85McLaren · Post by **85McLaren** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:13 pm

I have the B-303 in 2 of my other 85's. There is definite difference in sound at idle (at least on my cars). As far as an 86, a speed density will not idle properly with a B-303. The LSA is too much (too much loss of vacuum). Every car is different of course, but in my experience an 86-88 will run like crap with a B-303....

Also - problem is - I believe as Mike pointed out before, the 85 got a lot of changes as ANY 5 speed 5.0 did. Roller lifters, different cam (roller), revised heads (so you could pull the lifters out without removing the head), etc. I think we have gotten confused over what was done anyway in 85 to all 5-speed 5.0s.

Jason

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:31 pm

I beg to disagree.

My 1986, with B-303 cam, automatic tranny & 3,.73:1 rear end idels smoothly, with a faint hint of a surge at the same moment that she idles up.
She moves out smooth as my Town Car and has no " issues".

Post by **negusm** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:33 pm

85McLaren wrote:I have the B-303 in 2 of my other 85's. There is definite difference in sound at idle (at least on my cars).

Is that with STOCK exhaust?

I have one person who I would have to dig out their email...that said that their 85 Coupe car had the B303 cam in it. You couldn't tell until you opened up the exhaust and then you really started to hear he lope and the change in the engine sound.

-Mike

85McLaren · Post by **85McLaren** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:38 pm

With the 85, that Could be true, but the inital startup should be a little different until it warms up. As for the 86, there should be a real noticable difference as the processor will not know what to do with the loss of vacuum - except 'load' the car up with fuel at idle.

Jason

Post by **negusm** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:53 pm

85McLaren wrote:With the 85, that Could be true, but the inital startup should be a little different until it warms up. As for the 86, there should be a real noticable difference as the processor will not know what to do with the loss of vacuum - except 'load' the car up with fuel at idle.

Jason

Sandy says his 86 has exhibited that problem ever since he got it.

-Mike

tfs2121 · Post by **tfs2121** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:09 pm

my motor is still on a stand and i have not pulled the cam out yet. but i can tell you this. you could hear the cam in it.

85McLaren · Post by **85McLaren** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:18 pm

Only reason I question it is because I have several other 5.0s'. In most 5.0's, you can here a decent cam idle (at least in the 86-88 speed density's).

I know Sandy's car is obviously new, but there is A LOT of sensors (TPS, vacuum, IAC, etc.) that can make an 86-88 surge, cut-out in the first few seconds of start (low fuel pressure) - then on the seond start - it runs fine.

We won't know until someone pulls one out. And it might not have the B-303 at the end of the cam. Someone will have to measure the lift and valve events to be sure.

Jason

ricko302 · Post by **ricko302** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:03 pm

Sandy, go pull your cam out, so we can put this B303 mystery to rest...

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 1:53 pm

HA ha HA Hysterical !!

I can tell you w/out looking, the COUPE has the B-303 and the Verts do NOT !

ckj · Post by **ckj** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:13 pm

My original 86 coupe is on a stand in my garage. If I wasn't so lazy I could pull the cam and look. maybe next year..

86capriasc · Post by **86capriasc** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:18 pm

I pulled mine and I have pics in my album. Since mine was built one before Sandy's it should have the B303 also, but there are no marking of a B cam.

Check my album if anyone can figure out the markings on it.

85McLaren · Post by **85McLaren** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:04 pm

I think you might have to measure the lift and take the valve events. If you don't want to do this or don't know how, you are going to have to send it or take it to someone local to do this.

My 85 cam did not have a B-303 marking on it. That doesn't mean it isn't the same specs. It might mean that ford motorsport did not have that cam made into production at the time and didn't stamp it 'B-303'.

Does anyone here know when the B-303 was put into production for consumers to buy ? MIKE ??????

Jason

86capriasc · Post by **86capriasc** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:37 pm

What are the specs and please explain what would be the best way to figure this cam out? I still have the original block on the stand so I can probably borrow some tools to get the specs.

85McLaren · Post by **85McLaren** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:43 pm

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/pa ... yField=899

This page gives the specs for the B-303. I can't tell you how to use a degree wheel. If you do pull the cam, there should be a number on the back of the cam. Maybe we can trace it that way, but that will only work if it is a production cam. If it is not, we will have to take the cam specs from a degree wheel to measure the valve events (opening and closing of the valve, lift, etc.). There are of sites that will tell you how to use a degree wheel to figure that out.

Just some food for thought....

Jason
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