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Old 01-20-2019, 03:04 PM   #1
40larry
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Default Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

Can someone post a copy of the Iskendarian 3/4 Max 1 Cam Specifications sheet?
Thanks in advance.............
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Old 01-20-2019, 03:22 PM   #2
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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Can someone post a copy of the Iskendarian 3/4 Max 1 Cam Specifications sheet?
Thanks in advance.............
From an Isky catalog.

MAX #1 Good Low Speed Power Cam in conjunction with stock carb. And intake manifold. Good idle. Type (3/4) Valve Lift (.364 .364) Valve Lash hot (.014 .014) ADV Duration (249 249) .050 Duration (226 226) LC 111.
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Old 01-20-2019, 05:25 PM   #3
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

My Max 1 came with the same info. How do you set a flathead valve lash hot?? I set mine to 12/14
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Old 01-20-2019, 06:30 PM   #4
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

This is a very good cam for a stock or near stock displacement engine. Built many 258 engines with this cam. These engines were the stock type rebuilds of the late 40's early 50's 20 cubes and a point in compression. Dual 94 made them hard to beat back in the day. When reading JWL's book the Max #1 put the stock flathead over the 100 hp mark. Unfortunately, in today's market, it's an expensive proposition, any cam is!!!
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Old 01-21-2019, 02:05 AM   #5
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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From an Isky catalog.

MAX #1 Good Low Speed Power Cam in conjunction with stock carb. And intake manifold. Good idle. Type (3/4) Valve Lift (.364 .364) Valve Lash hot (.014 .014) ADV Duration (249 249) .050 Duration (226 226) LC 111.

Is the following exactly what is given in the Isky catalog? What does it mean?
"Duration (249 249) .050 Duration (226 226) LC111"
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Old 01-21-2019, 03:27 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 40larry View Post
Is the following exactly what is given in the Isky catalog? What does it mean?
"Duration (249 249) .050 Duration (226 226) LC111"
249 is at running clearance.
226 is at .050 lift.
"LC" is "lobe center" which in this case also happens to be the lobe separation or the degrees between the ex and in lobes.
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Old 01-21-2019, 08:58 AM   #7
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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Is the following exactly what is given in the Isky catalog? What does it mean?
"Duration (249 249) .050 Duration (226 226) LC111"
Good question Larry. I am running that cam in my 27 roadster and now in the process of rebuilding my son's 47 coupe Flathead and he wants to run the same cam.

Thanks Pete for the info.
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Old 01-21-2019, 10:34 AM   #8
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

The .050 duration numbers are used because it is very difficult to determine the point where lift begins and ends. Using the .050 values are easier to work with when degreeing a cam.
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Old 01-21-2019, 10:40 AM   #9
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

I have a max 1 cam in my '47 with dual '97's, aluminum heads, and headers. It's a nice running combination.
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Old 01-21-2019, 02:56 PM   #10
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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249 is at running clearance.
226 is at .050 lift.
"LC" is "lobe center" which in this case also happens to be the lobe separation or the degrees between the ex and in lobes.



Do the intake and exhaust valves have identical duration specs? Some MFRs list intake duration and exhaust duration specs separately.
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Old 01-21-2019, 03:31 PM   #11
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

I have one in my 268CI with two 97's and like the cam. i had this in my records:
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File Type: jpg Isky Max 1 Specifications.jpg (51.3 KB, 173 views)
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Old 01-21-2019, 04:36 PM   #12
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

Some day we should have a thread on camshafts that are not too technical. If that's passable. For me the duration and lift at .050" gives me the peek torque rpm, also lift rate. However, that doesn't always work out the way you might think. Take the L-100, When I first saw that cam I said it wouldn't work in a 5500 lb Ambulance. And it worked great, I still don't know why???
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Old 01-21-2019, 05:10 PM   #13
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

Yes JSeery, much easier with a larger clearance to find and measure. I used this great article when I set and "degreed" my cam in one of my bikes, a 1979 Yamaha XS650 that has a revised firing order.

"Check Your Lobe Centers, Ma'am?"

Same thing here verbatim and probably "borrowed" or vice versa from Muzzys.


https://store.schnitzracing.com/cam-...ers-explained/

Glenn


Quote:
Originally Posted by JSeery View Post
The .050 duration numbers are used because it is very difficult to determine the point where lift begins and ends. Using the .050 values are easier to work with when degreeing a cam.
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File Type: pdf Check Your Lobe Centers, Ma'am_.pdf (71.3 KB, 48 views)
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Old 01-22-2019, 01:19 AM   #14
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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Do the intake and exhaust valves have identical duration specs? Some MFRs list intake duration and exhaust duration specs separately.
On most common vintage street cams the PROFILE on each lobe is the same.
The timing numbers can be different due to advancing or retarding the cam in relation to the crank.
No matter how much you advance or retard it, the lobe separation angle will remain the same.
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Old 05-19-2019, 02:13 PM   #15
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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Some day we should have a thread on camshafts that are not too technical. If that's passable. For me the duration and lift at .050" gives me the peek torque rpm, also lift rate. However, that doesn't always work out the way you might think. Take the L-100, When I first saw that cam I said it wouldn't work in a 5500 lb Ambulance. And it worked great, I still don't know why???
Ron that would be quite simply fantastic having a thread on camshafts in simpler terms and what they do and do not do👍😊
After searching around for information which isn't always easy to find at least for me it is hard😖 I stumbled upon a pair of Isky
450-811100 and
450-817700

https://static.speedwaymotors.com/im...harts/ISKY.gif

https://static.speedwaymotors.com/im...harts/ISKY.gif

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Isky-...aft,25445.html

They mention both of these will work with a stock carburetor with good idle and low to midrange RPM and the 811100 will work good with multiple carbs as well.
They also mention the 811100 will give good "hot rod sound" which puzzles me.
Does this "Hotrod sound" also mean the car will be shaking and bobbing like a Mexican Jumping Bean or will it be totally civilized?
What is my application?
A very stock 1950 Mercury Sport Sedan with a stock 255ci and on it is the larger OEM Holley 885FF that is larger than the wee little 97's and was also used on the much larger Lincoln 337 and numerous much larger truck applications throughout the 50's.
My differential ratio is (unfortunately?) the 4.27:1 mountain (description from OEM parts manual) differential and luckily for me I have the Borg Warner 3 speed/OD otherwise I would be roaring at high revs at 50-60MPH.
My heads are stock but in my hoard I have other more desirable OEM Mercury heads as per claims on the Internet.
My occupation has been a mechanic for almost 40 years but in my case I have always been rebuilding in totally stock form and am considering warming up my Mercury that I have owned since the early 80's.
Hopefully somebody can tell me what I can expect using stock carburation and heads with these Isky's? No I don't want something radical, just warmed up a bit kind of like Ford getting 125HP out of them in the later 255 used up to 1954(we used them in 1954 up here in Canuckastan)
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Old 05-19-2019, 03:34 PM   #16
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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Ron that would be quite simply fantastic having a thread on camshafts in simpler terms and what they do and do not do👍😊
After searching around for information which isn't always easy to find at least for me it is hard😖 I stumbled upon a pair of Isky
450-811100 and
450-817700

https://static.speedwaymotors.com/im...harts/ISKY.gif

https://static.speedwaymotors.com/im...harts/ISKY.gif

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Isky-...aft,25445.html

They mention both of these will work with a stock carburetor with good idle and low to midrange RPM and the 811100 will work good with multiple carbs as well.
They also mention the 811100 will give good "hot rod sound" which puzzles me.
Does this "Hotrod sound" also mean the car will be shaking and bobbing like a Mexican Jumping Bean or will it be totally civilized?
What is my application?
A very stock 1950 Mercury Sport Sedan with a stock 255ci and on it is the larger OEM Holley 885FF that is larger than the wee little 97's and was also used on the much larger Lincoln 337 and numerous much larger truck applications throughout the 50's.
My differential ratio is (unfortunately?) the 4.27:1 mountain (description from OEM parts manual) differential and luckily for me I have the Borg Warner 3 speed/OD otherwise I would be roaring at high revs at 50-60MPH.
My heads are stock but in my hoard I have other more desirable OEM Mercury heads as per claims on the Internet.
My occupation has been a mechanic for almost 40 years but in my case I have always been rebuilding in totally stock form and am considering warming up my Mercury that I have owned since the early 80's.
Hopefully somebody can tell me what I can expect using stock carburation and heads with these Isky's? No I don't want something radical, just warmed up a bit kind of like Ford getting 125HP out of them in the later 255 used up to 1954(we used them in 1954 up here in Canuckastan)
Larry at: https://www.tildentechnologies.com/
probably has the best website for the beginner to get cam design and use info.

From what you say, I gather you do not want the "hot rod sound", which simply means a rough lopey idle. Several cams available will give you a stock smooth idle and SLIGHTLY improved performance. With what you have for an engine (basically stock) you may not notice any improvement in the seat of pants though.
The stock 53 Ford EA or EAA was the hottest stock cam that came out in the flathead engine. The 77B Isky will be very slightly better while retaining stock idle. Any cam with specs above this will likely be getting into the lopey idle range and will have reduced low rpm performance.

I have been in the cam and racing business for 68 years and have seen that people tend to choose a cam that is too big for their application the first time around.
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Old 05-20-2019, 02:19 PM   #17
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

Hi Pete and thanks for reply!! Yes I see that all the time and they are TOTALLY unsuitable for street and at times the vacuum accessories don't work as well. A slight Lopey idle I can live with and my guess is the slightly more aggressive version I listed is perhaps that kind that will have a slight gallop of the idle perhaps not making the car shake?? Nope I'm most certainly not looking for massive increase but just a bit of a warming up This would be indicated by having this car since the early 80's and using 110 hp for all those years. By some chance do you know the specs of that better Ford OEM cam and how does it compare to those Isly's? They also increased the compression to 7.5 in the latest and HP was 125 HP OEM as well and I should check my heads to be sure what I got but I'm sure I have a pair like you mentioned. 25-35+ HP shouldn't be that difficult to achieve on these and as it is I have been digging around for info on popup pistons as well. OlRon mentioned he has used 239 Pistons in the 255 as well after I was always thinking about this. He never went into much detail about using them and my future experiment that I hope to do is drag one of my cores into the shop and place a 255 crank into it with a 239 piston without rings and place a head on it doing a crush test to measure the clearance. One fellow at Isky I talked to mentioned compression is a very big factor for how the cam behaves and what it can do as well. Then there is the argument of reducing the stoke with a 239 piston but in reality the bottom of the stroke is reduced but the end result is the chamber is also reduced at TDC of compression. This is probably a bigger win win situation than worrying about a 1/4 inch reduction of BDC anyway! I have also read this is a factor for milling heads as well because yes you reduce the "squish" area on top of the piston but you also reduce the flow area above the valves as well. I have a pair of 239's and a pair of 255's laying around so I have test parts available to do simple rotational tests for seeing what goes on. Also being a higher lift cam for the slightly more aggressive Isky they mention checking valve to head clearance as well. Hopefully somebody can chime in on their experiences with popup Pistons and how high the compression is raised. Different HP heads? Well such heads and intakes are not very common up here in Canada and perhaps more can be accomplished using popup Pistons whether they be special high performance or just a stock 239 stuck in to be used, that and a better civilized camshaft.
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Old 05-20-2019, 02:56 PM   #18
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

Checking my heads I have a pair of EAB a pair of 8BA which everybody has, a pair of 8RT and on my Mercury a C8CM. Most likely the 8RT being truck are probably the lowest for CR?
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Old 05-20-2019, 03:11 PM   #19
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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Hi Pete and thanks for reply!! Yes I see that all the time and they are TOTALLY unsuitable for street and at times the vacuum accessories don't work as well. A slight Lopey idle I can live with and my guess is the slightly more aggressive version I listed is perhaps that kind that will have a slight gallop of the idle perhaps not making the car shake?? Nope I'm most certainly not looking for massive increase but just a bit of a warming up This would be indicated by having this car since the early 80's and using 110 hp for all those years. By some chance do you know the specs of that better Ford OEM cam and how does it compare to those Isly's? They also increased the compression to 7.5 in the latest and HP was 125 HP OEM as well and I should check my heads to be sure what I got but I'm sure I have a pair like you mentioned. 25-35+ HP shouldn't be that difficult to achieve on these and as it is I have been digging around for info on popup pistons as well. OlRon mentioned he has used 239 Pistons in the 255 as well after I was always thinking about this. He never went into much detail about using them and my future experiment that I hope to do is drag one of my cores into the shop and place a 255 crank into it with a 239 piston without rings and place a head on it doing a crush test to measure the clearance. One fellow at Isky I talked to mentioned compression is a very big factor for how the cam behaves and what it can do as well. Then there is the argument of reducing the stoke with a 239 piston but in reality the bottom of the stroke is reduced but the end result is the chamber is also reduced at TDC of compression. This is probably a bigger win win situation than worrying about a 1/4 inch reduction of BDC anyway! I have also read this is a factor for milling heads as well because yes you reduce the "squish" area on top of the piston but you also reduce the flow area above the valves as well. I have a pair of 239's and a pair of 255's laying around so I have test parts available to do simple rotational tests for seeing what goes on. Also being a higher lift cam for the slightly more aggressive Isky they mention checking valve to head clearance as well. Hopefully somebody can chime in on their experiences with popup Pistons and how high the compression is raised. Different HP heads? Well such heads and intakes are not very common up here in Canada and perhaps more can be accomplished using popup Pistons whether they be special high performance or just a stock 239 stuck in to be used, that and a better civilized camshaft.
For cam comparison specs go to the Tilden website.
As far as pop up pistons, forget it. You can get way more compression than you need on the street by just milling and matching the dome to the pistons, with stock heads.
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Old 05-20-2019, 03:28 PM   #20
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

All of the above information is great BUT unless you check the cam timing as advertised on the timing card the true events will never be known. I have found as an example on an Isky cam advertised at a 111 C/L it was actually at 115. To determine if there was possibly an issue with the new cam gear bolt holes being in a different location causing the problem I put an original Ford cam gear on after doing this the results were the same a 115 C/L.
Since its not a simple task to alter the cam timing events on the Flathead with bolt on gears few will ever check their cam to the manufacturers timing information most just take the cam from the box and slide it into their Flathead. When I run into this issue with a cam I do correct it by altering the bolt holes and bushing each hole to the correct position. Not a simple task but one thats worth the effort.
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Old 05-20-2019, 04:24 PM   #21
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All of the above information is great BUT unless you check the cam timing as advertised on the timing card the true events will never be known. I have found as an example on an Isky cam advertised at a 111 C/L it was actually at 115. To determine if there was possibly an issue with the new cam gear bolt holes being in a different location causing the problem I put an original Ford cam gear on after doing this the results were the same a 115 C/L.
Since its not a simple task to alter the cam timing events on the Flathead with bolt on gears few will ever check their cam to the manufacturers timing information most just take the cam from the box and slide it into their Flathead. When I run into this issue with a cam I do correct it by altering the bolt holes and bushing each hole to the correct position. Not a simple task but one thats worth the effort.
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Old 05-20-2019, 05:35 PM   #22
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

Thanks again and speaking of stock heads and compression, this is most likely how Ford obtained a 7.5 CR on the 52-54 and the higher horsepower as well. The 6.8 on my Mercury is quite low and of course is best suited for a blown engine ;-). I have a degree wheel and this was required to time and modify the rotory intake valve plate on 2 stroke Rotax engines. The core with the EAB is possibly a 255, a Ford Reman engine from years ago but is riddled with cracks including through the valve train but it has a good crank and many other items including manifolds that fit my Merc.
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Old 05-20-2019, 05:45 PM   #23
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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For cam comparison specs go to the Tilden website.
As far as pop up pistons, forget it. You can get way more compression than you need on the street by just milling and matching the dome to the pistons, with stock heads.
How much does one dare mill the heads? Not as concerned as much about the thickness of the head and what is left but the valve flow passages or is it to the point of measuring the depth of these before and matching after milling by machining these out or is this actually not that critical compared to reducing the squish area directly above the piston? How about milling the top of the block down as well or is this a waste of time and only required for a warped or damaged surface?
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Old 05-20-2019, 05:58 PM   #24
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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For cam comparison specs go to the Tilden website.
As far as pop up pistons, forget it. You can get way more compression than you need on the street by just milling and matching the dome to the pistons, with stock heads.
Thanks for the Tilden info! Lots of reading and a great source of info!
https://www.tildentechnologies.com/C...rformance.html

It will be interesting seeing the comparison of the OEM and the Isky specs I found and posted.
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Old 05-20-2019, 07:54 PM   #25
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How much does one dare mill the heads? Not as concerned as much about the thickness of the head and what is left but the valve flow passages or is it to the point of measuring the depth of these before and matching after milling by machining these out or is this actually not that critical compared to reducing the squish area directly above the piston? How about milling the top of the block down as well or is this a waste of time and only required for a warped or damaged surface?
Before you go re-working a set of stock heads, you better check with your machine shop and see if they can even do them. It may be cheaper to buy a set of new Edelbrock or Sharp's.

Most shops can mill the heads now days but VERY few have the cutters to flycut the domes and over the valves and this will have to be done if you mill .080 which is the most I recommend.
This work is quite expensive even if they can do them. You will probably be over half the cost of new heads.

Even if you just take a minimum off to clean up, you will have to clay the pistons and valves on all cylinders for proper clearance.

Do not mill the block unless it is warped or damaged.
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Old 05-20-2019, 08:06 PM   #26
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After more searching I found this thread and OlRon uses foil for checking for a .040-.050 cylinder head/piston clearance. Actually the engine rebuilder machine shops around here mill heads and my old C8MC heads were milled .010 back in the 80's when I first purchased the Merc and rebuilt the flattie. It was amazing how good it ran for how rough it was! Pulled the pan to find skirts laying in the pan. A typical Ford Flathead, they run forever and don't die! Been a loooooong time since I looked at milling heads on a Flathead and other than that remember hearing a local old timer mention he had one car with stacked head gaskets because the piston hit the head. Perhaps somebody by mistake put 239 Pistons in a 255?

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...7982&showall=1

Of course a forum called Fordbarn would be a good source!
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Old 05-28-2019, 02:38 PM   #27
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The cost of milling the heads here would be less than purchasing from the United States so this is most likely the most logical option! Living in the Snow Mexican republic of Canuckastan means I'm dealing with (if I'm lucky) a $0.74 dollar plus exchange surcharges and this applies to both the item and shipping! Can somebody tell me what the real difference is between the 8CM and perhaps EAB heads? The newest of the flatties had a reported CR of 7.5 compared to my aniemic 6.8 which in reality is probably lower as others have mentioned. The C8CM heads are still on my Mercury and in the future I'm forced to pull them to adjust my valve clearance!! Adjustable $h!t lifters can be adjusted by removing the intake but this will be a TOTAL waste of time due to creeping so I'm forced to remove the lifters, remove the adjuster bolt and compress it in a vice to increase thread resistance and there is not enough room to lift them out unless I remove the heads, remove the valve guide retainer and lift the valves. I will NEVER use these again! Other than a degree wheel and figuring out the duration of the cam, did Ford ever stamp an ID number on their camshafts? I have an EAB core heavily infested with cracks and it was one of those Ford authorized rebuilds so there is no guarantee the camshaft is an original EAB cam.
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Old 05-28-2019, 02:50 PM   #28
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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The cost of milling the heads here would be less than purchasing from the United States so this is most likely the most logical option! Living in the Snow Mexican republic of Canuckastan means I'm dealing with (if I'm lucky) a $0.74 dollar plus exchange surcharges and this applies to both the item and shipping! Can somebody tell me what the real difference is between the 8CM and perhaps EAB heads? The newest of the flatties had a reported CR of 7.5 compared to my aniemic 6.8 which in reality is probably lower as others have mentioned. The C8CM heads are still on my Mercury and in the future I'm forced to pull them to adjust my valve clearance!! Adjustable $h!t lifters can be adjusted by removing the intake but this will be a TOTAL waste of time due to creeping so I'm forced to remove the lifters, remove the adjuster bolt and compress it in a vice to increase thread resistance and there is not enough room to lift them out unless I remove the heads, remove the valve guide retainer and lift the valves. I will NEVER use these again! Other than a degree wheel and figuring out the duration of the cam, did Ford ever stamp an ID number on their camshafts? I have an EAB core heavily infested with cracks and it was one of those Ford authorized rebuilds so there is no guarantee the camshaft is an original EAB cam.



To help you solve the loss adjuster thread issues when i run into that problem i simply clean the threads with brake cleaner to get rid of any oils i then use red Locktite placing a drop of Locktite on the adjuster thread at the location of the lower and upper thread and then reinstall the adjuster. Now after you have your clearance set the Locktite will hold the adjuster perfectly. It will take some effort in the future to move the adjuster for future adjustments when needed but its not difficult and you will find it will solve your problem.
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Old 05-28-2019, 03:03 PM   #29
GOSFAST
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

Every cam regardless of brand/mfr should at least be degree-checked at a minimum. Most will be "nominally" correct, if you find it way off it needs to be addressed.

We check every one we install and go as far as modifying the cam AND the cam gears to accept a SBC/BBC cam "pill", this allows the cam to be moved a fair amount! These pills come in 0*, 2*, 4*, 6*, and 8*.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Here's a shot (again) of a finished cam/cam gear, not really all that difficult to do!
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File Type: jpg Flathead Timing Gear Pill B.JPG (81.6 KB, 89 views)
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Old 05-29-2019, 07:13 AM   #30
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

We milled the block back in the day when our race car was torn down at the end of a race to be sure it was stock !! Just saying.
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Old 05-29-2019, 07:41 AM   #31
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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We milled the block back in the day when our race car was torn down at the end of a race to be sure it was stock !! Just saying.
Problem with that method is the flathead blocks have a fairly thin deck to begin with.
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Old 05-29-2019, 08:06 AM   #32
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

One thing you should be aware of is: The compression ratio charts should be taken with a grand of sand. They vary all over the place. Measure them.
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Old 05-29-2019, 01:24 PM   #33
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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The compression ratio charts should be taken with a grand of sand.
Don't you mean a grain of salt???
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Old 05-29-2019, 05:59 PM   #34
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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Don't you mean a grain of salt???
No, he meant what he said. The old saying goes as you mention but he means a whole beach full of sand. In other words, charts are meaningless except for bench racing. They give a lot of micro info that is useless in the real world.
The only way to really know is to measure the chamber with a burette tube and some juice WITH THE HEAD ON and if you are going to this extent, you have to have measured the stroke with a dial indicator to get it to .001 TIR.

On a street engine if you are off chamber to chamber by 1/2 cc, you won't feel it in the seat of the pants but on an all out engine it could be the difference between 1st and 2nd place.
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Old 05-29-2019, 07:27 PM   #35
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

I have a method for measuring the compression out to several decimal places. I posted it here but nobody waz interested. It only works when the engine is on a stand , so you can level it. The process goes like this: accurately measure the size of the combustion chamber. Place a used gasket on the block and install the head tighten it down. Make sure the piston was on the compression stroke and a quarter inch from the top. Now screw the measuring gauge into the spark plug hole. Now for the results. Pore into the new gauge the amount of fluid for the volumn of the chamber. Now move the piston up to TDC. no fliud in the gauge, yet. Now add fluid into the new gauge untill to regesters on the gauge. By rocking the piston you can find TDC and the amount of fluid you had to add to the chamber to get the exact size of the combustion chamber. This usual requires about 15 more cc's.
For gustamating the CR I just add 15 cc's to the chamber volume and use it/ So If you have a 65cc Edelbrock head, then the chamber is aprox 80 CC and the CR is much lower than you thought. When I waz younger I did allot of "Stuff" like this.
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Old 06-04-2019, 11:36 AM   #36
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

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I have a method for measuring the compression out to several decimal places. I posted it here but nobody waz interested. It only works when the engine is on a stand , so you can level it. The process goes like this: accurately measure the size of the combustion chamber. Place a used gasket on the block and install the head tighten it down. Make sure the piston was on the compression stroke and a quarter inch from the top. Now screw the measuring gauge into the spark plug hole. Now for the results. Pore into the new gauge the amount of fluid for the volumn of the chamber. Now move the piston up to TDC. no fliud in the gauge, yet. Now add fluid into the new gauge untill to regesters on the gauge. By rocking the piston you can find TDC and the amount of fluid you had to add to the chamber to get the exact size of the combustion chamber. This usual requires about 15 more cc's.
For gustamating the CR I just add 15 cc's to the chamber volume and use it/ So If you have a 65cc Edelbrock head, then the chamber is aprox 80 CC and the CR is much lower than you thought. When I waz younger I did allot of "Stuff" like this.
Then in reality with such a large variation in cylinder head combustion chamber size one might as well place a piece of plexiglass over the head, carefully fill and measure the volume to "try" to determine size after all if the engine is still in the vehicle you would be SOL using the installed head method. One thing I find totally annoying is when the question is asked about results, the response is disappointing to say the least. "It made a slight difference" or "it made quite a large difference" quite simply just doesn't cut it!! Difference to what?? "My car went X miles per hour before and now does X miles per hour after" would most certainly make more sense!! How about zero to 60 in X amounts of seconds before and after as well. It is as rediculous as the specs I posted earlier from Speedway of the Isky camshafts stating good idle blah blah or idle with hot rod sound is TOTALLY meaningless to me. Throw a blue bottle or glass pack on and run the idle rich and you will have the same hot rod sound! In reality if they are manufacturing camshafts to fit a 1949-54 239 or 255 take a 239 or 255 in new stock condition which is most certainly not hard to do, place it on a dyno and measure torque and horse power. NOW take the same engine and install an Isky 450-811100 and go through the same procedure again. Next since these companies sell performance heads and intakes intall these and again place on the dyno. THESE are "real" numbers and facts and in reality are just tooooooo much to ask for instead of wasting unnecessary time and money. As mentioned before numerous people over cam or carburete their engines resulting in a total street unfriendly vehicle. Now as for cylinder heads, what about compression before and after? Slap a compression tester on a good or rebuilt engine and measure. Next remove the head and unless the chamber volumn is accurately known CC the head. CC the head to be replacing the stock OEM head, install. And again also measure the compression using a compression gauge. Now as advertised Isky mentions the 450-811100 and the 450-817700 are designed to work with OEM stock Carburetion so their story goes and if one wants to warm up a flathead mildly or moderately this shouldn't be that hard to provide more usable information, should it? BTW I am still looking for a source of Ron's book as I have purchased 3 books already and out of the 3, two of them provided the same information as just purchasing a good shop manual, whether it be a Motors manual or OEM and other than this also provided some porting info. The third was TOTAL radical specs of full drag strip too the point of shoveling thousands of $ into an engine which many most certainly cannot afford. This is my rant for today for good reason because if one is on a bit of a budget taking small steps would be a good idea hopefully in the right direction.
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Old 06-04-2019, 01:17 PM   #37
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

56mark, do you have JWL's book? That is a good place to start. So is Ron's.

VanPelt has Ron's book (and JWL's book as well, Flathead Facts).

https://www.vanpeltsalesstore.com/L-...ran_p_607.html
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Old 06-04-2019, 04:48 PM   #38
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

Thanks for posting the link. I'll also be ordering those books.
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Old 06-04-2019, 05:40 PM   #39
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

John has done just that, and with the Max #1 cam. And is the best book out there.
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Old 06-04-2019, 10:13 PM   #40
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Default Re: Isky 3/4 Max 1 Camshaft

JWL's book is an absolute must read for any flathead fan as well as Ron's.
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