Cam Question - Educate Me Please?

Jay Ess

Jay Ess

Member
I have finally gathered all of the rebuild parts for my flathead. I kind of went over board and will probably replace parts that may not have needed to be replaced, but I don't want to do this again...

The cam looks good, and I planned to reuse it. However I do not know what type of cam I have. Since the the engine has the 4" crank and Merc heads, manifold, carbs, headers, etc., while I have it apart, why not a mild cam? Street use in a 52 Tudor, no racing, I like torque :D

The cam has no markings that I can see. My question is, is there a way to measure and therefore identify the cam? Is there some type of fixture with a dial indicator(?), or other type of device that can tell me the type of cam I have?

Been doing this stuff a long time but never came across this predicament.

As always, thank you in advance, js
 
It sounds like you have a Merc engine. If it's a stock Merc cam it sounds like what you want. It's easy to check the lift, just mic a lobe from the high point to the heel, mark that down, now mic across the lobe for the low point, substract that from the first reading, Thet will give you the lift. If it's around .325-330 it's a merc cam. The first Ford 8BA style cams had .300 lift. I think 52-53 Ford cams went to the .325 lift. Walt
 
I recently made a plot of my cam with the setup pictured. The best way is to place the indicator directly on the valve or lifter, but I didn't want to remove a head so devised this indirect method. I added a temporary washer under the valve spring as it looked like it needed some added pressure to plot the closing event. I'm sure an internet search would show more examples.
 

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I go along with Walt, using this method is a short cut to separating Ford Cams. From the early 30 's to the 1950 engines the cam timing was pretty much the same. Form 51-53 they made several changes. For max torque the early grind might be a good choice. However the 51-53 cams are better suited to todays driving. Back then the adverage speed was 35 mPH with occasional trips into the 50's Today the adverage soeed is 50mph with cruising speeds into the 60's. That just depends on the real reason for the project and application.. I usually prefer the wildest cam in the book, but we must be practical sometimes.
 
Hi Jay; Look again on the shaft between the front and center bearing. Also you should be able to bore to 3 5/16 if you're going to bore it. I agree with Walt that you'll like the cam. You'll have good low and mid-range torque and you can still play with the rear end gearing for highway driving, Craig.
 
You might consider searching for a set of '52-'53 FORD heads (marked EAB). These will bump the C.R, in your Merc engine by possibly half a point. Higher C.R. is always good for more low end grunt.
 
Thanks to all for the advice. I will be over at the shop tomorrow and I will have a chance to check out the cam. As far as heads are concerned mine have EAC cast on them. Is this a "stock" 51 Merc head? Does one shave heads on a Flathead? Thanks, js
 
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