(260 / 289 / 302 ) SMALL BLOCK FIRING ORDER
 
The Red Line Vortex 260 Lope Stick is built for Ford small block enthusiasts who want a noticeable idle lope, hard-hitting midrange torque, and smooth street manners. Designed for real-world power in daily-driven muscle cars and cruisers, this cam delivers that classic Red Line sound — deep, rhythmic, and aggressive — while keeping driveability intact.
This is the cam for builders who want the sound and feel of power, not just numbers on paper. Whether you’re running a street Mustang, F100, or hot swap, the 260 Lope Stick makes your engine bark, breathe, and pull like it should.
 
⚙️ Camshaft Specifications
Duration @ .050" – 212° / 212°
Advertised Duration – 260° / 260°
Valve Lift – .435" / .435" (≈ .465" with 1.6 rockers)
Lobe Separation Angle (LSA): 108°, 110°, 112°, 114°
Standard LSA: 110° (Installed 4° advanced → 106° ICL)
RPM Range: 1,200 – 5,200 rpm
Idle Character: Mild lope at 110°, deepens with tighter LSAs
 
📊 Valve Timing Events @ .050" (Cam Installed 4° Advanced)
LSA 108° (ICL 104° / ECL 112°)
Intake Opens 2° BTDC • Intake Closes 30° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 38° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 6° ATDC • Overlap ≈ 8°
 
LSA 110° (ICL 106° / ECL 114°) (Standard)
Intake Opens TDC • Intake Closes 32° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 40° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 4° ATDC • Overlap ≈ 4°
 
LSA 112° (ICL 108° / ECL 116°)
Intake Opens 2° ATDC • Intake Closes 34° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 42° BBDC • Exhaust Closes 2° ATDC • Overlap ≈ 0°
 
LSA 114° (ICL 110° / ECL 118°)
Intake Opens 4° ATDC • Intake Closes 36° ABDC • Exhaust Opens 44° BBDC • Exhaust Closes TDC • Overlap ≈ −4°
 
⚖️ LSA Power & Idle Characteristics
108° LSA: Tight and rowdy. Maximum torque and throttle response with a sharp lope — great for light cars or street/strip setups.
110° LSA (Standard): Balanced street power and driveability. Strong midrange pull, clean throttle response, and that classic “lope stick” idle tone.
112° LSA: Broader torque spread and smoother idle. Great vacuum for power brakes and reliable street performance.
114° LSA: Softest idle, highest vacuum, and the most controlled torque curve. Ideal for heavy vehicles or EFI systems wanting refined drivability.
 
🏁 Performance Behavior
The 260 Lope Stick brings that perfect “street cam” character — a steady lope at idle, big low-end punch, and crisp midrange torque that makes every shift satisfying. It’s tame enough to daily, mean enough to sound like you’re packing more cam than you are, and smart enough to make power where small blocks live.
 
🎯 Recommended Applications & Build Setup
Compression Ratio: 8.5:1 – 10.0:1
Induction: Dual-plane intake, 600–700 CFM carb or EFI
Exhaust: Headers or high-flow dual exhaust
Gearing: 3.00 – 3.73 rear gears
Converter / Clutch:
Automatic: 2,000 – 2,400 rpm stall converter
Manual: Street clutch rated ≥ 450 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"
Coil Bind Height ≈ 1.120" (maintain ≥ .060" clearance)
Retainers & Locks: COMP 742-16 retainers + 611-16 locks
Pushrods: 5/16" hardened chromoly (verify length)
Lifters: Premium hydraulic flat tappet lifters (matched set)
Rocker Arms: 1.6:1 roller rockers recommended
Valve Seals: Positive Viton-style
Assembly Notes: Verify spring height, coil-bind, and geometry before final torque.
 
🧠 Installation & Break-In Notes
Always use new lifters. Degree cam for correct ICL (4° advanced). Use high-ZDDP break-in oil and run engine 2,000–2,500 rpm for 20–30 minutes. Recheck preload, pushrod geometry, and spring pressure after break-in.
 
💡 Why Choose the 260 Lope Stick
The Vortex 260 Lope Stick gives your Ford that legendary “cammed idle” sound without killing vacuum or manners. It’s the perfect upgrade for the enthusiast who wants their car to sound alive and pull hard without turning into a race-only build.
It’s the cam that makes people ask, “What’s in that thing?” — and it backs the sound with torque you can feel.
 
🏆 The Red Line Cams Advantage
Red Line Cams brings over 35 years of real-world camshaft design and engine-building experience. Every Red Line cam is built from OEM-quality cam cores, precision-ground, inspected, and finished in-house to guarantee accuracy, durability, and the unmistakable Red Line performance edge.