Ford 427 SOHC “Cammer” at SEMA 2017

 

 

 

 

At the first NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Racing) Grand National series race of 1964, the Daytona 500, the Chrysler teams debuted the 426-cubic inch hemispherical cylinder head “Hemi” V-8 engine.  Contrary to contemporary legend, NASCAR did not require the new engines to be sold in factory-assembled cars, but had to be available “over the counter” at dealerships. The “Hemi” engine immediately became a dominant force in NASCAR. 

 

 

 

In order to beat the “Hemi” motors over a ninety-day period Ford Motor Company engineers developed the Single Overhead Camshaft (SOHC) “Cammer” engine based on the 427-cubic inch Ford FE block, the regular version of which was being used by Ford NASCAR teams. The overhead camshaft cylinder heads required a different oiling system from the standard 427, so the oil supply had to be routed through a gallery along the left side of the block which led to theses becoming known as the “side oiler” block.

In testing fitted with a single four barrel carburetion the “Cammer” engine produced more than 600 horsepower.  Unfortunately, NASCAR President “Big Bill” France increased the number of units that had to be manufactured to homologate engines so the new Ford engine could not be used in NASCAR.  Ford instead raced the “Cammer” engines in NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) drag racing competition in a number of classes. The Ford “Cammer” engine was never installed in production cars, but they were available over the counter at dealerships.   

 

 

 

Jim Ring's 1964 “Pro Street” style Galaxie 500 shown in the Vibrant Performance booth at the 2017 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show is an example of the final year of this body style which had been in use since 1960. Mid-year during the 1963 model year, Ford had introduced a fastback or "sports hardtop" roofline was added mid-year to make the cars more competitive on the high-speed NASCAR tracks, and were introduced a “1963½” model an industry first. 

 

 

Ring’s car, built by Bones Fabrication in Camarillo, California, is powered by a Ken Duttweiler-built all-aluminum 427 cubic inch “Cammer” engine. The engine sourced from Robert Pond Engines was enlarged to 482 cubic inches and is fed by a pair of 76mm Precision turbochargers which draw air through the inner headlight buckets in the grille. The Holley Terminator EFI system makes this car which develops over 1000 horsepower tame enough to be driven on the street.  

The Galaxie’s front end uses an Art Morrison front clip outfitted with JRI coil-over shock absorbers with tubular control arms. The 9-inch Ford rear end is suspended via a 3-link setup and JRI coil-over shock absorbers. The car rides on polished KWC Forged wheels with Mickey Thompson tires – 18-inch diameter by 6 inches wide at the front and 20-inch diameter by 15 inches wide in the rear.

All photos by the author