More cam questions

After having broken a valvespring and then bending a pushrod, valve, and frying a lifter, I think it might be worth it to go ahead and change the cam on my 351M in a F100. It already has a Weiand Action Plus intake, Holley 750, 1 3/4" headers, 2 1/2" dual exhaust, and I believe the Summit 204/214* cam. I know it has way too much carb and way to big of an exhaust, but that's what the previous owner put on it and I don't have the cash to change it right now.

Would I see much improvement in power and/or gas mileage by swapping to the Crane 266H (266 adv, 210 @ .050, .508", 110* lsa)? My thinking is that with that big of an exhaust system it needs a single pattern or even an intake biased dual pattern cam. Any thoughs/comments on this?

Thanks!
Richard

One more thing... will I need to replace the locks and retainers too, or can I reuse the existing ones? There's no damage that I can tell by looking at them.

Thanks

I don't think you'll see much improvement with that cam. Move up to at least 214/220 intake dur. @ .050 to feel a difference. The stock locks and retainers are OK but the springs may be suspect.
[addsig]

Thanks for the input.

The next cam up in that line is a 216/.528", but they recommend at least 8.7:1 compression, and to my knowledge a 351M is about 8.2:1. Is that something to worry about or no big deal? Do you think I'd lose any low-end over what's in there now?

Thanks

216 duration is about right for a stock 351. You would loose a little way down low but gain a lot of torque after 2000 rpms. Upgraded valve springs and a little more timing advance is all you'll need to make it scream.
[addsig]

Sounds good.

Thanks!

I ran a 214/224 (PAW) with about 9:1 - nice cam, any in that duration area should work well. Good idle vacuum too.
[addsig]