Vortex 260 Lope Stick – Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft
 
For Ford Big Block V8 (429 / 460 CID)
 
🔥 Purpose & Identity
When brute torque meets attitude — that’s the Red Line Vortex 260 Lope Stick. Built for 429 and 460 Ford Big Blocks that live for real-world power, this cam gives your heavy hitter the unmistakable Red Line idle pulse while keeping it streetable. The 260 Lope Stick is the perfect balance between drive-anywhere manners and that gritty, aggressive rhythm that lets everyone know your Ford means business.
Designed for hot street builds, classic muscle, and weekend cruisers that don’t back down, this grind hits hard where it counts — low and midrange torque — without losing vacuum or reliability.
 
⚙️ Camshaft Specifications
Duration @ .050" – Intake 212° / Exhaust 212°
Advertised Duration – 260° / 260°
Valve Lift – .435" / .435"
Lobe Separation Angle (LSA) – 106° standard (also available 107°, 108°, 110°, 112°, 114°)
Intake Centerline – LSA − 4° (e.g., 102° ICL on 106° LSA)
RPM Range – 1,200 – 5,200 RPM
Idle Character – Smooth with a mild lope that deepens as the LSA tightens
 
📊 Valve Timing Events @ .050" (Cam Installed 4° Advanced)
LSA 106° (ICL 102° / ECL 110°)
Intake Opens 2° BTDC • Intake Closes 30° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 36° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 6° BTDC • Overlap ≈ 8°
 
LSA 108° (ICL 104° / ECL 112°)
Intake Opens TDC • Intake Closes 32° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 38° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 8° BTDC • Overlap ≈ 4°
 
LSA 110° (ICL 106° / ECL 114°)
Intake Opens 2° ATDC • Intake Closes 34° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 40° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 10° BTDC • Overlap ≈ 0°
 
LSA 112° (ICL 108° / ECL 116°)
Intake Opens 4° ATDC • Intake Closes 36° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 42° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 12° BTDC • Overlap ≈ −4°
 
LSA 114° (ICL 110° / ECL 118°)
Intake Opens 6° ATDC • Intake Closes 38° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 44° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 14° BTDC • Overlap ≈ −8°
 
🏁 Performance Behavior
The 260 Lope Stick BB delivers thick, instant torque from idle to midrange — right where a 460 wants to live. With its flexible LSA options, you can fine-tune the idle character from a smooth, factory-friendly pulse to a darker, more aggressive chop. It’s the ultimate torque cam for street-driven big blocks that want attitude without sacrificing drivability.
 
🎯 Recommended Applications & Build Setup
Compression Ratio: 8.5:1 – 10.0:1
Induction: Dual-plane intake with 650–850 CFM carburetor or EFI
Exhaust: Long-tube headers or free-flowing manifolds
Gearing: 3.25 – 3.73 rear gears
Converter / Clutch:
Automatic: 2,000 – 2,400 rpm stall converter
Manual: Heavy-duty street clutch rated ≥ 550 lb-ft torque
 
🔧 Valvetrain & Component Recommendations
Valve Springs: COMP 26918-16 or equivalent single spring
Seat Pressure ≈ 115 lb @ 1.800"
Open Pressure ≈ 290 lb @ .450" lift
Coil Bind Height ≈ 1.120" (maintain ≥ .060" clearance)
Retainers & Locks: Steel retainers (COMP 742-16) with 7° locks (COMP 611-16)
Pushrods: 3/8" hardened chromoly, custom-length after geometry check
Lifters: High-quality hydraulic flat tappet lifter set
Rocker Arms: 1.73:1 roller rockers recommended for durability
Valve Seals: Positive-style Viton seals for oil control
Notes: Always verify installed height and coil-bind clearance during assembly
 
🧠 Installation & Break-In Notes
Always use new hydraulic flat tappet lifters
Degree the cam to verify ICL before final assembly
Use high-ZDDP break-in oil and run 2,000–2,500 rpm for 20–30 minutes
Verify spring pressures, coil-bind clearance, and retainer-to-rocker clearance
Maintain .060" minimum coil clearance and check pushrod alignment
 
💡 Why Choose the 260 Lope Stick BB
The Vortex 260 Lope Stick is the ultimate torque cam for 429/460 Ford builds that want real street power with an aggressive edge. It keeps your vacuum strong, throttle sharp, and idle just rowdy enough to sound dangerous. If you want instant response and midrange authority — this is the cam that delivers both.
 
🏆 The Red Line Cams Advantage
Red Line Cams brings over 35 years of real-world camshaft design and engine-building experience. Every Red Line camshaft is built from OEM-quality cam cores, precision-ground and inspected in-house to deliver maximum durability, perfect repeatability, and real-world performance that speaks for itself.