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Original Message
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| RE: 427 Cammer |
| By Bill Conley - 12/29/2001 1:33:31 PM; IP 63.215.230.149 |
Hi Bill,
Dave Shoe has a lot of specific info on cammer production, and he is the moderator of this forum. Here is what I have concluded (Dave- straighten me out if needed!):
The first 50 engines built in late '64/early '65 were high compression (12.5:1) race engines meant for NASCAR development. Most or all of them had aluminum heads. After NASCAR put the kabosh on the cammer, Ford decided to build a bunch of iron-head cammers for drag racing and over-the-counter sales. What most people don't know is that these engines had a lower compression ratio- around 10.5:1 - 11.0:1. My untouched original engine cc'd out to 10.7:1 with the original TRW slugs.
There was certainly at least one batch of 250 complete engines produced in late '65. There was very likely a second batch of 250 built in '66. My engine appears to be from this second batch: The heads are stamped "519" and "522" which if you divide by two would indicate the beginning of the second batch. My casting dates are also correct for an early '66 build. Holman-Moody sold several dozen of these last "crate engines" when they cleared their inventory in '69. Price: $2500.00 Occasionally a virgin crate engine will still turn up...
There were also a fair number of cammer conversion kits offered by Holman-Moody. I have seen NOS bare cammer heads in the original Holman-Moody boxes. I would guess a few hundred more engines could have been built this way on standard 427 sideoiler blocks.
Having said that, most cammers were raced very hard. They also broke timing chains- which would destroy the heads. Based on conversations with guys who used to run them, I'd say close to half of the engines perished. That would leave somewhere around 300-600 healthy engines in existence (just a guess- but backed up by the number I've seen at shows across the country.)
Hope that helps. What kind of condition is the engine in? Any history? If you can pick it up for less than 17-18k you're doing very well.
As far as replacement parts, all of the bottom end stuff is easy. Rocker arms and chain drive parts can be very hard though. The best thing is to stay in touch with people who have these engines. I have collected spares for mine over the last several years. Once in a while you'll find a real enthusiast who will let stuff go "to a good home" for a reasonable price. Unfortunately there are also speculators who want the deed to your house in exchange for a cam sprocket.
If you're patient you'll find the right stuff at a fair price.
Regards,
Bill
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