Melling Performance Cam?
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 907
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From: Citrus Heights, CA
Melling Performance Cam?
My local machine shop is recommending a Melling Performance Cam for my son's 360. I'm trying to find some specs on the thing to understand what its all about and I am having no success. Perhaps I've misspelled it?
Anyone have any information they'd care to share? Is it a good choice?
'73 F250 4x4
T18
NP-205 Divorced
Dana 44/60
Stock cast iron manifold
Stock 2bbl carb
Headers/Dual exhaust
Mostly commute driving with some hills around.
Anyone have any information they'd care to share? Is it a good choice?
'73 F250 4x4
T18
NP-205 Divorced
Dana 44/60
Stock cast iron manifold
Stock 2bbl carb
Headers/Dual exhaust
Mostly commute driving with some hills around.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 1
From: Colville, Washington
I would not use it. They are mostly generic old school grinds, that do not compare well with any of the hi-po company cams. Look at Crane, Comp, Lunati or similar for a better choice.
!["Beemer Nut"'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23bc5285' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>"</text></svg>)
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
With the quality and selection of Crane cams why would you run a off brand?
I would think twice before installing a Comp cam with so many getting flat lobes. JMO's
.....=o&o>.....
I would think twice before installing a Comp cam with so many getting flat lobes. JMO's
.....=o&o>.....
Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Jan 23, 2006 at 02:01 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
What ever cam you pick, be sure to use a good oil. Modern API SM grade oils are not designed with old flat tappet cams in mind. They simply lack the proper additives to protect the cam lobes. Use a diesel rated oil, as they still contain the proper additives to protect the cam.
I dont know about Lunati cams. They recently came out with their "Voodoo" line of cams, from which the FE was excluded. This tells me their cams are old technology, and that there are better cams out there.
For a 360, I recommend the Crane 343971 cam.
I dont know about Lunati cams. They recently came out with their "Voodoo" line of cams, from which the FE was excluded. This tells me their cams are old technology, and that there are better cams out there.
For a 360, I recommend the Crane 343971 cam.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 907
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From: Citrus Heights, CA
He convinced me to go with the Melling cam. It's not really a performance cam (after all, it is a 360), it is an RV cam. Here are the specs. If you tell me this is just so wrong, I can be convinced to yank it all out and stab it again (although that was a really big pain in the A$$).
The following is from their catalog:
Part Number 24104 MTF-4
Degrees .050” dur Int/Exh = 204/214
Degrees ADV. dur Int/Exh = 282/292
Inches Valve lift Int/Exh = .484/.510
Degrees Lobe cntr Int/Exh =107/117
Description:
CLASS I TORQUE CAMSHAFT, GOOD DAILY USAGE, ECONOMY, LIGHT TOWING, SMOOTH IDLE, POWER RANGE 1200-4700 RPM-HYD.
I'll make it a point to pay attention to the oil grade.
The following is from their catalog:
Part Number 24104 MTF-4
Degrees .050” dur Int/Exh = 204/214
Degrees ADV. dur Int/Exh = 282/292
Inches Valve lift Int/Exh = .484/.510
Degrees Lobe cntr Int/Exh =107/117
Description:
CLASS I TORQUE CAMSHAFT, GOOD DAILY USAGE, ECONOMY, LIGHT TOWING, SMOOTH IDLE, POWER RANGE 1200-4700 RPM-HYD.
I'll make it a point to pay attention to the oil grade.
Last edited by AnOldDog; Jan 23, 2006 at 10:12 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
That cam is pure junk. Look at the specs, it's all there. The advertised duration is 282/292. This is long enough that it's really going to kill your low end torque. Now look at the .050" duration. There is a very big spread between the advertised duration and the .050" duration. This means the cam is NOT agressive at all. So, it wont breathe at high rpm. So you've got a cam that does nothing right.
Also, due to the long advertised duration, it will bleed off way too much compression. Knowing that the 360 has low compression to begin with, you will wind up with truely a dog of a motor. By all means, in the strongest way I can possibly put it, DO NOT USE THIS CAM!!!
You would be far better served by even the stock cam. A Crane 343971 or 343901 would be an improvement for a 360.
Look at the specs for the 343901:
Duration at .050": 204/216
Advertised duration: 260/272
Valve lift: .501"/.533"
343971:
Duration at .050": 192/204
Advertised duration: 248/260
Valve lift: .469"/.501"
Also, due to the long advertised duration, it will bleed off way too much compression. Knowing that the 360 has low compression to begin with, you will wind up with truely a dog of a motor. By all means, in the strongest way I can possibly put it, DO NOT USE THIS CAM!!!
You would be far better served by even the stock cam. A Crane 343971 or 343901 would be an improvement for a 360.
Look at the specs for the 343901:
Duration at .050": 204/216
Advertised duration: 260/272
Valve lift: .501"/.533"
343971:
Duration at .050": 192/204
Advertised duration: 248/260
Valve lift: .469"/.501"
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Mansfield, Texas
DON'T DO IT.DON'T DO IT.DON'T DO IT.DON'T DO IT.DON'T DO IT.
My builder put one in my motor and I can't wait to get it out. You will not find anyone one on this site has one and likes it. My truck (although a crew cab) is a dog.
I am just thankfull I have taken apart my front end (for a year now, LOL) and can't get upset at my wimpy motor. Really, have him install a Crane or something. You are not going to be happy at all. And to boot, you'll probally start to spend time in your motor, wondering why it's so whimpy only to come to the conclusion it's the cam. whew. (does it show my dislike of the mt-4?)
Robert P.
My builder put one in my motor and I can't wait to get it out. You will not find anyone one on this site has one and likes it. My truck (although a crew cab) is a dog.
I am just thankfull I have taken apart my front end (for a year now, LOL) and can't get upset at my wimpy motor. Really, have him install a Crane or something. You are not going to be happy at all. And to boot, you'll probally start to spend time in your motor, wondering why it's so whimpy only to come to the conclusion it's the cam. whew. (does it show my dislike of the mt-4?)
Robert P.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Omaha USA
I have the MT4 one step up from the one you are using. It has .510/.510 lift with 300/300 duration and it SUCKS!!!! Mine is in a 390/c6 and I have no vacuum for the tranny to shift and it wont idle right. If you have the choice, use a crane. There are some excellent suggestions above. Good luck.
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