Picking a Camshaft
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Lowell, MI
Picking a Camshaft
Well I hate asking stupid questions, and I feel I should be able to figure this out on my own, but I figured I'd ask for a second opinion. I'm having a hard time picking a cam; I was thinking a Isky 88, but im not sure quite yet.
If you guys could recommend a powerful cam with a good tone, that youve heard, or have, thatwould be awsome
Heres some mods Ive got going into it:
I'm going with the Triple Duece Demon 98's, A 289 "Stroker Kit"(Its a 1952 V8 239), Edelbrock 74cc Heads, Mallory Ignition, so basically new everything but the block and pan, Literally.
So I guess im one of those DARK SIDERS O_O huh
If you guys could recommend a powerful cam with a good tone, that youve heard, or have, thatwould be awsome
Heres some mods Ive got going into it:
I'm going with the Triple Duece Demon 98's, A 289 "Stroker Kit"(Its a 1952 V8 239), Edelbrock 74cc Heads, Mallory Ignition, so basically new everything but the block and pan, Literally.
So I guess im one of those DARK SIDERS O_O huh
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 838
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From: 50 miles west of Chicago
Welcome to the dark side. Your motor sounds like it will be a lot of fun to drive. I am sure that shortly somebody will come here and give some good advice on the camshaft.
BTW: When you say powerful cam do you mean a hot street/strip cam or??
jim
BTW: When you say powerful cam do you mean a hot street/strip cam or??
jim
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
I wouldn't go too wild, flatheads' forte' is torque, in the 1800 - 2400 range. Our trucks are heavy and need the torque. You'll really toss gas mileage away if you put in a real lumpy cam. As to a specific cam to give a boost without losing too much driveability, many sage builders say the stock EAB cam is a good choice. Do a search on the HAMB and the Flathead Forum to see your choices, but keep in mind what is good in a 2400-lb roadster isn't a good choice for a 3300-lb truck.
If you haven't bought your tri-power setup, you might want to consider the 4-barrel options, much less hassle and the small Edelbrock 4-bbl gets good reviews. A hell of a lot cheaper too!
If you haven't bought your tri-power setup, you might want to consider the 4-barrel options, much less hassle and the small Edelbrock 4-bbl gets good reviews. A hell of a lot cheaper too!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 369
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From: Indiana
I have heard great things about the 4bbl intakes. It is much easier to tune, thats for sure! However, in my book nothing beats a tripple deuce setup on a flatty...so more power to ya!
I believe my friend is going back and forth between the Max1 and a custom grind right now...
I believe my friend is going back and forth between the Max1 and a custom grind right now...
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Mohnton, PA
After talking to a couple of guys at Honest Charlie's at the spring Carisle swap meet, I decided to go with the isky max 1. I am running edelbrock heads, fenton 2x2 intake and fenton headers. the block is bored 30 over and the crank is 10 and10. They told me the max 1 cam is a little more street friendly than the 88. It will not have quite the lope as the 88 and I won't have to worry about any valve clearence at the heads.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
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From: springfield il
well if you had a 302 or 289 i'd suggest ( this is not for those faint of heart or who can't stand some cursing !!!! ) B Cam- the Movie | Xtranormal
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Here's a real good discussion -- and BTW I should have said an 8CM (Merc) cam was favored by some, not an EAB, although EAB's are good too.
Ford Flathead V8 .. 1932 thru 1953 • View topic - Camshafts for street motors
Ford Flathead V8 .. 1932 thru 1953 • View topic - Camshafts for street motors
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
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From: springfield il
the 8cm is a hard critter too find ross . at least it was for me . i got lucky and found two one for use the other tucked away and it took a long time to find 'em . i am still waiting to hear from larry from tilden when bill stipe is gonna be grinding the 8cm plus cams he designed . i also checked with comp cams , howards and many others and no one seems to be able to come up with lobe profiles or a suitable cam blank to grind you a duplicate of henry's 8cm either . i would suggest reading tilden technologies articles on cams and valvetrains and reread it and cam tech articles from harvey crane and others . full of useful info . i obviously went with an 8cm but was almost going to go with a schneider 254 f as i wanted to hear it lope . then common sense got hold of me as what ross said is true , and i found the tech articles . sounding cool is fine , but i want too drive mine ...... now back to being a smart **** !!!!!!!!!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Houston
These folks have some very interesting information on flathead cams and cam design in general: Flathead Performance Cams.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Lowell, MI
Sorry for the delayed response guys, (family emergency these past few days) I appriciate the help. Yeah I'm looking for a street/ strip cam, but nothing too heavy, Still want it to be a nice cruiser, but be able to open it up once and a while
From what you guys suggested, I'll Probably go with a Max 1, and now, Im really going to reconsider the 4 barrel option, although I still love the style and functionality of the triple deuce.
Im gonna keep an eye out for that 8cm merc cam just in case
From what you guys suggested, I'll Probably go with a Max 1, and now, Im really going to reconsider the 4 barrel option, although I still love the style and functionality of the triple deuce.
Im gonna keep an eye out for that 8cm merc cam just in case
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Indianapolis
To reiterate what some have inferred; everything you do in the way of a reground cam diminishes driveability on the street. The last ('52-'53) Merc had all the cam one ever needs on the street. All the HiPo cams do is move the torque peak to a higher R.P.M. and give you that audible signal of something "better??" If you were going to race the engine (drag strip or dry lakes) then there would be some reason to cam it up.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
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From: springfield il
what dale says is what i gathered from the tilden site and why i have been hunting an 8cm along with a little nudge that ross once made , and got hold of two , and i'm afraid i'm not inclined to sell them , and as i said you can't get a duplicate ground by anyone so far .the next bet is the 8ba cam , which is what my lil' girl had in her , according to tilden's site . having a cam go rump is cool as hades , but if it's a pain in the **** to use or drive it's useless ..................... check with cam regrinders , as they may have one laying about for regrind . i got one of mine from GO CAT SPEED SHOP . eric had one slated to go too the regrinders but sold it to me in exchange for a couple of older cams i had laying around i wasn't gonna use . considering it's what i wanted well i didn't bawk . it's the 8cm merc we beez yakkin' on about . now as i said if we can just get stipe and mr. young to come together and grind the 8cm plus that has been designed .................
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
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From: peyton, colorado
Picking a camshaft is alot like picking a women. There's the really hot and frisky ones (don't want to say lumpy) that are great when you're in the mood for it, lot's of fun and your friends will be envious. Trying to live with them day to day and you'll find they're alittle difficult, perhaps high maintenance. A better pick for a long term relationship is alittle milder, not as radical, more conservative, but so much easier to face on a nasty morning. I'm still talking cams here.
BTW, I've made similar observations on chassis tuning. Care to discuss oversteer vs understeer?
BTW, I've made similar observations on chassis tuning. Care to discuss oversteer vs understeer?
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