The Ford Barn

ole39 · 03-01-2023, 12:18 PM

are there any differences in the cam specs in 49-53 merc cams?

19Fordy · 03-01-2023, 02:04 PM

According to the information below, it seems most probable that the 49-51 Merc cams were the same. However, "The Mercury 8CM cam had a lift of 0.338, while all of the Ford V8 cams had 0.307 lift."
https://tildentechnologies.com/Cams/...rformance.html

rotorwrench · 03-01-2023, 05:18 PM

The EAB cam (52/53) was the last replacement cam. It may.be a more modern cam profile for stockers. The Ford & Mercury cars were all larger than the earlier models.

Ol' Ron · 03-01-2023, 05:54 PM

The 5-T flathead cam was the early 21 stud grind and lasted to the last 59a engines. From 1949 thru 1953 (1cm, 8cm ,eab, eac etc ) cams all had minor lift and duration variation's from the 5T grind. However, Don't expect to see much improvement in power and/or economy. I like to use the sab/eac with valve rotators and short valves. They would probably work with the long valves, but you'd have to puts with the spring pressure. 50 lbs is more tha enough for a stock engine. I only use 60 lbs for the L-100, seems to work Ok,
Gramps

tubman · 03-01-2023, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

The EAB cam (52/53) was the last replacement cam. It may.be a more modern cam profile for stockers. The Ford & Mercury cars were all larger than the earlier models.

I have considered this also, and have even inquired here and on the H.A.M.B. if anyone has the specs for an EAC cam (with no luck). That being said, I am using a 8CM cam in my '51 club coupe and am completely satisfied with it. Who knows; in the mid-fifties with the quest for smoother operation and the move to automatic transmissions, they may be even milder than the earlier versions.

I believe I have seen specifications on a EAB cam and was not impressed.

ole39 · 03-01-2023, 11:17 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

thanks to all who replied. my reason for asking is, i am going to pull the engine in my 39,8ba, 1/8th over with a 400jr. recently scored a merc crank. so going with a 274, merc cam and regular dual with 94's. also dumping the schieffer aluminum flywheel for a stock one. what does a good merc cam cost these days?

tubman · 03-01-2023, 11:25 PM

Just curious; what model is your cam (8CM, 1CM, EAB, EAC)?

cas3 · 03-02-2023, 01:23 AM

Sorry I can't spew out any actual numbers here, but when I went thru this a few years ago it seems the guys all said the early merc cam was the best of the bunch. Like 49-50

cas3 · 03-02-2023, 01:31 AM

Also, when I did mine, I had it checked out at a local cam shop. It checked out bad on a couple lobes, so he went in the next room...full of cams, went to the merc bin and pulled out a core for me for free! there was about 30 cams in that bin. Barry cam, Lester Prairie MN, call em up

Merc Cruzer · 03-02-2023, 10:58 AM

Prior posts, that I think will help answer your questions:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...highlight=cams

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...amshaft&page=2

cas3 · 03-02-2023, 12:04 PM

Good info there Merc Cruzer. Contradicts my statement above. Looks like the 1CM of 52-53 is the winner

Merc Cruzer · 03-02-2023, 02:01 PM

It just happens to be the one I used for my engine rebuild of my 53" Merc, so I kept the web sites for the discussion on cams, just in case I needed to refer back to it. I don't know if it is actually better than the others, but it works for me.

rotorwrench · 03-02-2023, 02:22 PM

They started changing duration in those last few years. Automatic transmissions and heavier cars were the main reasons. The 8CM was used with the old style valves till early in 1951. Subsequent cams were used with the new rotating valve sets. They wanted more low end torque than older cams would.give.

mfirth · 03-02-2023, 02:28 PM

My .02 cents = had an 8cm in my 239 8BA, engine builder thought he damaged it, so he bought me a new Max 1. That engine ran much better with the 8CM in it.

3twinridges · 03-02-2023, 10:08 PM

I am getting ready to build a 4” v8 for an F1. I have both an EAB and 1cm cam. I was going to use the EAB but this thread is making me think the 1cm might be better ��.

JB

38 coupe · 03-03-2023, 05:57 PM

I highly doubt you will feel any difference in performance when driving between the two cams, both are good. We put an EAB cam in my friends 50 Mercury after finding the 8CM cam was worn and rust pitted; that car flies in overdrive.

Pete · 03-03-2023, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3twinridges

I am getting ready to build a 4” v8 for an F1. I have both an EAB and 1cm cam. I was going to use the EAB but this thread is making me think the 1cm might be better ��.

JB

Very few of these cams have not been reground at least once at this late date so you actually do not know what you have unless you degree it. Use the one with the most lift.

3twinridges · 03-04-2023, 10:07 AM

Pete, both cams are NOS in the original box. So both should be good.

JB

Merc Cruzer · 03-10-2023, 05:38 PM

Does any one have pictures of a 1CM cam. I went back through my engine build pictures, and I have pictures of the cams that came out of the two blocks, but not the one I put in.

Thank you,
Roy Lange (Merc Cruzer)
[email protected]

03-01-2023, 12:18 PM	#1
ole39 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: west central ill Posts: 170	merc cams are there any differences in the cam specs in 49-53 merc cams?

03-01-2023, 02:04 PM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: merc cams According to the information below, it seems most probable that the 49-51 Merc cams were the same. However, "The Mercury 8CM cam had a lift of 0.338, while all of the Ford V8 cams had 0.307 lift." https://tildentechnologies.com/Cams/...rformance.html Last edited by 19Fordy; 03-01-2023 at 02:10 PM.

03-01-2023, 05:18 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: merc cams The EAB cam (52/53) was the last replacement cam. It may.be a more modern cam profile for stockers. The Ford & Mercury cars were all larger than the earlier models.

03-01-2023, 05:54 PM	#4
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,862	Re: merc cams The 5-T flathead cam was the early 21 stud grind and lasted to the last 59a engines. From 1949 thru 1953 (1cm, 8cm ,eab, eac etc ) cams all had minor lift and duration variation's from the 5T grind. However, Don't expect to see much improvement in power and/or economy. I like to use the sab/eac with valve rotators and short valves. They would probably work with the long valves, but you'd have to puts with the spring pressure. 50 lbs is more tha enough for a stock engine. I only use 60 lbs for the L-100, seems to work Ok, Gramps

03-01-2023, 11:17 PM	#6
ole39 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: west central ill Posts: 170	Re: merc cams Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) thanks to all who replied. my reason for asking is, i am going to pull the engine in my 39,8ba, 1/8th over with a 400jr. recently scored a merc crank. so going with a 274, merc cam and regular dual with 94's. also dumping the schieffer aluminum flywheel for a stock one. what does a good merc cam cost these days?

03-01-2023, 11:25 PM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: merc cams Just curious; what model is your cam (8CM, 1CM, EAB, EAC)?

03-02-2023, 01:23 AM	#8
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,578	Re: merc cams Sorry I can't spew out any actual numbers here, but when I went thru this a few years ago it seems the guys all said the early merc cam was the best of the bunch. Like 49-50

03-02-2023, 01:31 AM	#9
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,578	Re: merc cams Also, when I did mine, I had it checked out at a local cam shop. It checked out bad on a couple lobes, so he went in the next room...full of cams, went to the merc bin and pulled out a core for me for free! there was about 30 cams in that bin. Barry cam, Lester Prairie MN, call em up

03-02-2023, 10:58 AM	#10
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,431	Re: merc cams Prior posts, that I think will help answer your questions: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...highlight=cams https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...amshaft&page=2 Last edited by Merc Cruzer; 03-02-2023 at 11:34 AM.

03-02-2023, 12:04 PM	#11
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,578	Re: merc cams Good info there Merc Cruzer. Contradicts my statement above. Looks like the 1CM of 52-53 is the winner

03-02-2023, 02:01 PM	#12
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,431	Re: merc cams It just happens to be the one I used for my engine rebuild of my 53" Merc, so I kept the web sites for the discussion on cams, just in case I needed to refer back to it. I don't know if it is actually better than the others, but it works for me.

03-02-2023, 02:22 PM	#13
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: merc cams They started changing duration in those last few years. Automatic transmissions and heavier cars were the main reasons. The 8CM was used with the old style valves till early in 1951. Subsequent cams were used with the new rotating valve sets. They wanted more low end torque than older cams would.give.

03-02-2023, 02:28 PM	#14
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	Re: merc cams My .02 cents = had an 8cm in my 239 8BA, engine builder thought he damaged it, so he bought me a new Max 1. That engine ran much better with the 8CM in it.

03-02-2023, 10:08 PM	#15
3twinridges Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 548	Re: merc cams I am getting ready to build a 4” v8 for an F1. I have both an EAB and 1cm cam. I was going to use the EAB but this thread is making me think the 1cm might be better ��. JB

03-03-2023, 05:57 PM	#16
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: merc cams I highly doubt you will feel any difference in performance when driving between the two cams, both are good. We put an EAB cam in my friends 50 Mercury after finding the 8CM cam was worn and rust pitted; that car flies in overdrive.

03-04-2023, 10:07 AM	#18
3twinridges Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 548	Re: merc cams Pete, both cams are NOS in the original box. So both should be good. JB

03-10-2023, 05:38 PM	#19
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,431	Re: merc cams Does any one have pictures of a 1CM cam. I went back through my engine build pictures, and I have pictures of the cams that came out of the two blocks, but not the one I put in. Thank you, Roy Lange (Merc Cruzer) [email protected]