flathead build

[chicknlittle]

I have made up my mind to rebuild my mercury engine do to what I have found while tearing it down to replace chipped piston.Heres what I got a set of offy .400 heads and duel offy intake and 2 94s to go on it I will bore the block only as much as it needs to be to clean up.This is my first flathead build and it will be going in a 51 mercury what cam should I run I would like a little lope. thanks Jimmy

[36tbird]

I've seen it on here from those who know that the height of cam development for a good street engine was a stock '53 cam. It could be that your stock cam, if in good shape, may be the way to go. I've got a 3/4 Schneider in my 8BA and it idles smooth and I like the performance of my little 239. It "lopes" when it is cold and has the choke on.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Comp Cams makes a cam they call a thumper. I guess it's made so a street engine sounds like a dragster. I've never used one. The spec in Speedway isn't much differant than the ISKY max-1 I've used a lot of Max-1 and I think there a nice street cam but don't have much lope. Walt

[chicknlittle]

Wow I thought there was more flat head builders here just kidding . thanks for the help.I know this has been covered a lot but I could not find a build for a mercury. I know I need more bottom end to get here moving.I thinking about the max 1 Jimmy

[flatjack9]

When it comes to cams, everyone has their own favorite. For your car, the stock Merc cam would be the best overall choice, but you won't get the sexy idle. Personally, I use the Winfield SU1-A which is very similar to Ol Ron's fovorite - the L-100. Has a nice sounding idle and performs really well on the street.

[chicknlittle]

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I am going to go with a schneider 260 cam 355 lift thanks for the help Chicknlittle

[Pete]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

When it comes to cams, everyone has their own favorite. For your car, the stock Merc cam would be the best overall choice, but you won't get the sexy idle. Personally, I use the Winfield SU1-A which is very similar to Ol Ron's fovorite - the L-100. Has a nice sounding idle and performs really well on the street.

It's a funny thing about "Winfield" SU1A's. There are many cams out there stamped SU1A that are not even close to the original grind.
Someone should write a book on cam culture and bragging rights...lol
I had an original handed to me personally by Ed himself in 1952.
Here's what the tag said and it degreed very close.

Winfield SU1A (1952)
360 lift 280 duration on the intake 28-72
360 lift 286 duration on the ex. 74-32
111 degree lobe seperation

As you can see it was a very long duration grind with the associated lumpy idle. It made fair power but was nothing outstanding.

[Uncle Bob]

Oh camshaft love.....................like any other form, it's so individual.

Pete will probably have an opinion on this one since he's very familiar with them.
My favorite is the Potvin 3/8.........in my roadster it's very responsive, but the idle sound? OOOOOOOOO, heaven. Hears (sic) a brief clip of Ryan's coupe just to give a taste of the sound, this engine is the twin to mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ5E0...o4bqCA&index=7

[OLD...BILL]

So what did Sehneider tell you about the 260F cam and the "IDLE" that made you go with there cam, It had to be something about low end and off the line ?? Please keep us informed.... thanks ....OLD....BILL

[Bassman/NZ]

Up to around 2500 rpms, and for pulling your car off the line, your Merc cam will probably be better than any grind. of course, once the revs get up, the cam will come into its own. Have you read JWLs book? It has the results of many dyno pulls with different cams. Interesting.

[Teich]

Have an 8ba in 1948 car with Merc cam, idles nice but as Bassman/NZ says after aprox 2200rpm it really comes alive pulls real good, one carb dual exhaust. Laurie

[chicknlittle]

When I called Schneider I talked to Jerry and told him what heads intake and stoke and gears and I was putting it in a 51 mercury.He said the 260 is a good cam for this build.Thanks

[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by Pete

It's a funny thing about "Winfield" SU1A's. There are many cams out there stamped SU1A that are not even close to the original grind.
Someone should write a book on cam culture and bragging rights...lol
I had an original handed to me personally by Ed himself in 1952.
Here's what the tag said and it degreed very close.

Winfield SU1A (1952)
360 lift 280 duration on the intake 28-72
360 lift 286 duration on the ex. 74-32
111 degree lobe seperation

As you can see it was a very long duration grind with the associated lumpy idle. It made fair power but was nothing outstanding.

What lift was used for checking those numbers? Thanks, Jack

[chicknlittle]

The lift is .355

[Pete]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

What lift was used for checking those numbers? Thanks, Jack

Winfield's were checked at running clearance in those days.