Dual four-barrels are as exotic...
Dual four-barrels are as exotic today as they were in the '60s. Jim's 427 SOHC uses a stock aluminum intake manifold and custom-mounted oval K&N air filter to mount his brace of rare 780-cfm Holley carbs. While Ford never installed Cammers in cars, the company did build a variety of single- and dual-carb intake manifolds for them.
Jim says the Cammer S197 drives great. The carbureted engine has no driveability issues, and even with a soft power curve below 3,400 rpm, there is still plenty of torque for driving with a big-block. The all-aluminum engine is a bit heavier than the Three-Valve it replaced, so the handling is the same, which is a plus. Also, his air conditioning and quiet cockpit are interrupted only by a distant, characteristic Cammer whine from the timing chain. When he opens the hood, the Cammer looks as though it grew there. The installation has a factory patina that makes this May-December swap work.
Another enjoyment Jim has is all the money he saved, if you can wrap your mind in circuitous logic as well as a Cammer timing chain snakes from head to head. In fact, building the Cammer in a late-model chassis is less expensive than resurrecting a 40-year-old Mustang and having to cut out its shock towers and reinforce its unibody-among other things-to end up with a car that's not as fast or refined as the new one.
You'll be happy to know that Jim is using some of the money he saved for a second Cammer project. This one is a full-race, all-aluminum engine being built by Jim Varillaro in Knoxville, Tennessee. It's destined for Jim's Falcon Sprint and ought to be a wild ride. It's a factor in keeping the Mustang off the track and an exciting street driver that looks great and drives hard.
For a guy "who likes stuff different," Jim's Cammer S197 must be a deeply satisfying ride. Even with the problems associated with getting the engine sorted, Jim says this is easily his favorite car in his stable of collectibles.
Just don't fall for his phony window sticker. "I've had more fun with that window sticker than I've had with the car," he says. That's saying something.
| 5.0 Tech Specs |
| ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN | Gauges |
| Block | Ford Racing tachometer |
| Aluminum 427 SOHC Cammer | |
| Displacement | SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS |
| N/A | Front Suspension |
| Crank | K-member |
| N/A | Anthony Jones tubular |
| Rods | Control Arms |
| N/A | Stock |
| Pistons | Springs |
| N/A | Eibach Pro Kit |
| Cylinder Heads | Struts |
| 427 SOHC Cammer | Stock |
| Cams | Brakes |
| N/A | Stock |
| Intake Manifold | Wheels |
| Stock 427 SOHC | 18-in Ford Racing |
| Carburetors | Tires |
| Holley 780s | Goodyear Eagle F1 245/40-18 |
| Fuel System | Rear Suspension |
| Stock pump, stock fuel lines, | Springs |
| Aeromotive regulator | Eibach Pro Kit |
| Exhaust | Shocks |
| Kromer Craft headers and | Stock |
| Flowmaster mufflers | Control Arms |
| Transmission | Stock |
| Tremec T-56 six-speed w/Hurst | Brakes |
| short-throw shifter | Stock |
| Rearend | Wheels |
| Stock | 18-in Ford Racing |
| | Tires |
| ELECTRONICS | Goodyear Eagle F1 245/40-18 |
| Ignition | Chassis Stiffening |
| MSD 6AL, MSD coil, MSD | N/A |
| spark plug wires | |