1963 390 Camshaft and such help!

[nm1963f100]

So I determined my noise to be noisy lifters. I read that if you want to do lifters its recommended to change the cam. So here are my questions. Its a family cruiser so i am just looking for stock performance and ease of repair. I figure while I am in there wouldn'dt be a bad time to do timing chain also.

Do I need to replace the valve springs? I see a lot of kits that come with new springs but I assume it is because of a change in the cam.

If I do this what all needs to be replaced? Here is my list of what I think I will need. Camshaft, lifters, timing chain and sprocket, pushrods. Is that all I need?

Also, I am finding a lot of kits with everything but they are all upgrades, towing, rv, drag ect cams. Where can I get bone stock parts?

New experience changing this stuff out for me so I am taking it slow and asking A LOT of questions.

Thank you guys for having such a great place for info, great people and lots of experience in this!!!!

[R Pope]

Most auto supply houses can get you a stock replacement cam. That said, I would get a towing/RV cam for a truck like yours. Better power, driveability, and fuel economy. There has been some change in engine technology in the last fifty years!
Be sure to check the rockers and shafts for wear, and compare the lengths of the pushrods to each other. Any variation means they are worn out.
Also, add a set of gaskets to your list. When you start to reassemble it, you'll be wishing you'd bought an aluminum manifold to replace that boat anchor Ford used!

[William-in-St George]

Camshaft, lifters and a new timing chain, gaskets and sealer. Unscrew the rocker shaft bolts a couple of turns each untill the valve spring pressure is off (you can bend the shaft). Mark the special bolt that allows oil to the rockers and remember its location. Mark where each push rod comes from. Often they are different lengths. Use a piece of card board with an arrow pointing towards the front of the engine, and numbers like on the intake manifold. Take a flat piece of glass and roll each push rod over it to check if the push rod is bent. Measure each push rod to see if they are all the same length. Use an engine hoist for the intake it is a heavy piece. Have a look-see over on fte in the engine forum for more info.

[LM14]

I always change springs to match the cam. Even if putting a stock style cam back it, why run springs that were worn out 40 years ago?

SPark

[frdnut]

You can replace the lifters if the camshaft is in good shape..You cannot reuse old lifters on a new cam.