2.8L v6 cam journal sizes

[SIVAllan]

So I decided to swap the camshaft in my Series I's 1979, 2.8L Ford v6 for something less aggressive.

While "shopping online" I discovered that cams are scarce for early engines with "early" and "late" defined by the size of their cam journals.

From what I could find on the internet, early engines feature 41.9mm journal sizes while later engines feature a 43.9mm cam journal size.

Which years have which journal sizes remains a mystery.

I talked to Delta cam (Tacoma) about a cam and decided to order one from them. Delta thinks the 1979 motors use the smaller size journals, which makes 1979 an "early" motor.

Can anyone confirm whether a 1979 motor uses a camshaft with "small" journals?

TIA,

 

[260Alpine]

79 and down small journal. 83 and up large journal.

 

[SIVAllan]

Jim, thx.

 

[MikeH]

The “late” Bronco II/Ranger cam is more stout and therefore stronger. The journals of the “late” cam can be machined down to the size of the “early” cam, so you have a stronger cam in the “early” block

 

[DanR]

The 2.8 V6 early cam size was used in '79 and '80 Mustangs and Mercury Capris. I learned that when I came into possession of a 1979 Fox Body Capri mated to a 4 speed with OD in 4th.

 

[MikeH]

I thought the V6s were depleted in 79, that Ford went to a straight 6 late in the model year.

From wiki article:
The 2.8 L V6, in short supply, was replaced with a 3.3 L I6 engine during the 1979-model year.

My 2.8 is from a 79 Fox body Mustang.
So it has MII timing cover and water pump, and rear sump oil pan.

 

[DanR]

Mike, That is what I thought to from reading about the 2.8 V6, Then I purchased the 1979 Fox Body Mercury Capri with the 2.8 V6, 4 speed OD. Later bought a 2.8 V6 that came out of a FOx Body '80 Mustang. Both of the owners bought the cars new. I even had the title to the Capri showing the name of the owner. Still have the speedometer that shows 63K miles.

 

[MikeH]

I guess that 80 stang was a rare bird. Or it was titled late.

 

[DanR]

Mike, Here are a few PIC's of the '79 Mercury Capri 2.8 V6


1979 Fox Body Mercury Capri 2.8 V6

 

[bulldurham]

I have what I think is an 83, 2.8 from a Bronco II. It was my understanding they were used in Bronco II's until the 2.9 in 86.
Don't know how long they were used in the Mustang/Capri/Granada lines. The 83 Bronco engine had the large journal cam in it.

 

[MikeH]

The Granada (75-80 US version) did not have the V6. It had an I6 or V8. The 81-82 had an I4, I6, 3.8 Essex V6, or V8.

 

[260Alpine]

Aerostar was the last to use the 2.8 in 86.