Allright you old hotrodders, I need a history lesson...

What does it mean to have a 3/4 race flattie?
You don't hear about 1/2 race, or full race, but there always seems to be a mention of a 3/4 race flattie.

just curious
Bobby

 

Actually, its an older term but there was full-race which presumed a cam that had a lope that would be bothersome for normal driving. The 400Junior Isky cam was considered such. The Isky Max-1 was more than normal but without the lope of a full out lift and duration high performance cam and so it, and cams similarly, were referred to as 3/4 race. The term has been around since my dad was a hotrodder and it was used by every cam grinder and engine builder. Probably an early marketing tool.

 

dffay,
Thanks, I've heard the term for years but have never thought about it.

Nice to see a fellow New Mexican here on the board.
Bobby

 

Thanks Bobby. Those of us in NM have the same truck projects in the same state of disassembly as everyone else-- but ours have less rust.

 

Very true,

I'm in the Albuquerque area if you ever feel like doing some bench racing over some cold beers.

Bobby

 

The 3/4 race cam was something that you could drive to the strip and do reasonablie well. With the light weight Hot Rods of the 40's/50's a Full race cam was tricky to drive on the street.