B303 cam in 85 vert is it possible?

[GQ 1949]

Ok I've read the forums pertaining the B303, even some books but my
car has all the symptoms of this cam. Could Ford have screwed up, is
there anyway of knowing without removing the cam

[Sandy]

It's unlikely, but possible.
Keep in mind that all 407 cars that arrived at ascMcLaren on Autry Avenue in Livonia, Michigan LOOKED identical. as in same year, make, model, in one (1) of two colors (Navy or White). They were not segragated as to which would be kept coupes & which would become convertibles, to the best of MY knowledge. However, since MOST 1985 'Verts do not have it (the B-303 cam) there must have been some visual key as to which car to take for which conversion. Had to be.

[negusm]

Sandy, remember, there is a body tag that says "McLaren Coupe" on it for the coupes.

Not exactly easy to see right away but is usually there.

-Mike

[negusm]

Ok I've read the forums pertaining the B303, even some books but my
car has all the symptoms of this cam. Could Ford have screwed up, is
there anyway of knowing without removing the cam

Is your car originally an automatic or manual car?

[GQ 1949]

Mike, my car is a 5/spd and its to ironic, the high RPM idle, the stalling,
the lumpy exhaust note. I used to think it needed a tune up,took it to the
dealer had it tuned and still same symptoms they are confused as much as me. Until I read some of your forums on this and did a little more
research on it. (BOOM) there's the explanation this car might have started
out as a ASC COUPE but some how ended up as a vert. Mike I respect you
and Sandy's opinion you seem to know your stuff. So I ask you,
Is it possible

[Sandy]

Mike's right. I forgot the underhood Buck Tag that states McLaren Coupe. The 'Verts don't have this reverse stamped into their buck tag.....but, maybeeee somebody didn't look underhood when they were supossed to..... Ummm

A B-303 car will generally stall ONCE - after a cold cold start-up 'round about 90 seconds running, UNLESS it's driven right away. It will ALWAYS re-start and run fine. As said, a lumpy exhaust note and a slightly higher RPM idle. I would say that if it does have all 3 "symptoms" there is a good chance it does have it.

Have you taken her to your state's inspection station? Has it flunked for emissions? If so, my dollar bill bet says YES.

[negusm]

Sandy...considering how FEW manual 1985 verts there are....

Maybe...all/some manual cars...verts and coupes...got the b303?

With the fact that most verts were automatic...and that in 1985 an automatic vert was CFI and could NOT be built with the B303...maybe that is why we think the verts didn't get it???

I for one am unsure if there was really any rhyme or reason. I don't think my car really has it but I really don't know either.

I have spoken to 1 other person (mandra I think) who had an 85 asc coupe engine open which had no b303.

-Mike

[GQ 1949]

Sandy, Yes it doe's have all three symptons, thats the frustrating part of
it , is I just spent $432 on a tune up a couple months ago using all
fomoco stock parts and nothings changed still the same,so I wasted my
money . What is the correct cam for these cars or would you just leave
it aloan If I ever have to tear the engine apart thats going to be the first thing I check Sandy michigan doe's not have state inspections so
even if we did it most likely would fail.

[Sandy]

Wait Wait Wait. Your car's a 1985 & a Vert and a Manual? Then no B-303 ... Unless a prior owner..........

[ASCMCLRN]

Thats the first thing I thought to Sandy a prior owner. Some 5 years ago I called Ford about cams and engines cause the previous owner had replaced my cars engine with a crate motor. I was told a few things. Regarding cam you can easily take out the distributor and look down at the cam tip. If you see I believe it was orange paint on the tip it is a B cam. They would use different paint colors to note what type part it was. I also remember hearing way back that sometimes a worker would purposely throw in a better cam during mid 80's when emmissions werent as tough. Back to phone call with Ford rep another thing I learned was the GT40 heads have three bars on the front of head.

Nick

[GQ 1949]

Thanks Nick, I'll take the distributor off and see what I come up with.
I will also go back to the ford dealer where it is serviced and make sure
its the #matching eng, but again they are just as confused as I'am

[mustang marty]

Mike's right. I forgot the underhood Buck Tag that states McLaren Coupe. The 'Verts don't have this reverse stamped into their buck tag.

The 'verts should be stamped ' ASC MCLAREN CONVERTIBLE' on an addtional buck tag.... or at least mine does.

[Sandy]

I've only seen THAT on the Capris. Never on the Mustang. (Just sayig....)