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Author Topic: Adjustable Cam Pulley  (Read 1975 times)

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Offline rob289c

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Adjustable Cam Pulley
« on: October 03, 2022, 10:28:08 AM »
Is it worth the +/-$150 for an adjustable cam pulley for a stock 2.3?  It will have a header and open air filter element, but otherwise stock.  I'm not building a performance machine and as far as I know, the head has not been milled so is there any good reason for me to spend the $$$?  Would the extra few degrees of advance make any difference?
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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Adjustable Cam Pulley
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2022, 11:36:54 AM »
Maybe the better question is WHAT if any cam advance or retard is beneficial to the (otherwise stock) 2.3 engine. IF..., there is a consensus for a specific amount of change then you can buy a $10 offset key and accomplish the same thing that the adjustable pulley would.

 Adjustable pulleys are fine if you are building an all out race engine and can afford to spend a small fortune on a dyno to extract every bit of power. Any gain on a stock engine will likely be small - in general. But you may find for smog reasons changes of 4 degrees (or slightly more) MIGHT be helpful. You really need to hear from someone who has tinkered with the engine a lot.

Offline rob289c

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Re: Adjustable Cam Pulley
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2022, 07:27:20 PM »
Thank you for the reply...defini tely not going to be an all out race engine...in fact, with the ultra-short wheelbase and low weight of what I'm building, probably less power is better.  I think I will stay with the stock pulley and just try to make it start and run dependably. 
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Offline davidpinto

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Re: Adjustable Cam Pulley
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2022, 06:16:25 PM »
I HAVE A RACE ENGENEERING CAM PULLEY ON MY CUSTOM GROUND ERSON CAM.I CUT OUT THE CAM COVER FOR EASY ADJUSTMENT , IT WAS PRETTY REASONABLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT ,EVERYTHING HAS GONE UP NOW.LOOKS COOL THOUGH.
D BARHAM

Offline rob289c

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Re: Adjustable Cam Pulley
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2022, 08:12:39 PM »
Sure does look cool!
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Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: Adjustable Cam Pulley
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2023, 04:12:41 PM »
Not sure about a 2.3 but on a 2.0  advancing the cam about 4-6 degrees makes a lot of difference in low end torque.

But if you do opt for an adjustable pulley do get a steel one rather than an alloy..

Check with racer walsh about getting one.

Also since the timing marks on a 2.0 arent located on the belt cover i just run without one
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles

Offline davidpinto

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Re: Adjustable Cam Pulley
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2023, 05:20:03 PM »
WATS THE DEAL WITH ALLOY CAM GEARS ? I'VE BEEN RUNNING MINE FOR OVER 6 YRS AND 2 BELT CHANGES AND STILL LOOKS LIKE NEW.
D BARHAM

Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: Adjustable Cam Pulley
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2023, 10:07:01 AM »
Not sure about alloy pulleys..

I had one go south in abour 5000 miles...

Teeth just wore out... rounded off and started eating belts

Racer walsh replaced it with a steel one and no problems since
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles