Hi,

Do camshafts have to be replaced in "pairs" on this motor, or is an aftermarket camshaft (Melling) compatible with an OEM cam on the opposite side? I really don't wan't to buy yet another expensive part if I can avoid it, but I also don't want to cause an imbalance and horrible performance by mis-matching cams.

Mine is a '97 Sport with a 4.0 VIN "E" motor and I made the mistake of letting the L/H camshaft rust rather severely while the motor was out and apart for repair. It's far too pitted to salvage so I had to purchase another. The quickest and easiest to get was a Melling #MC-1375 , but I don't know if it's compatible with the grind/profile of the OEM Ford cams that I have for the R/H side.

As for the R/H cam, I have two of them. The original one that was in the cracked head that started this repair/adventure, and another that came with a used junk-yard head that I bought to replace the cracked one. I noticed elsewhere on the forum that someone provided the following Ford camshaft part number references:

- Left camshaft F7TZ-6250-AEE was superseded by 7L2Z-6250-D
- Right camshaft F77Z-6250-AE

None of my stock cams bear any of those numbers. Instead, they are marked with some very faded numbers like "1008563 4" & "1010497 0". Maybe one was replaced before I owned it? .. really don't know.

Hoping someone here can shed some light on this topic. Thanks in advance.

--mike