The Ford Barn

miwi · 11-08-2020, 04:19 AM

I'm rebuild a 255cui french flathead. It will get 2 Strombergs and Edelbrock intake. A friend said I should install a new cam. Are there any recommendations which cam shaft can be used for a 255 French. Thanks

KiWinUS · 11-08-2020, 07:55 AM

I do not believe it matters that it is a French flathead as to what cam you use. You first need to decide what distributor you want to run. After that it’s your choice. You will get many opinions. I have sold many of my KiWi-L100 cams than have been installed in French flatheads. Enjoy your flathead. Cheers
Tony

Ol' Ron · 11-08-2020, 08:25 AM

Adding dual carbs, eliminates the stock distributor, so you'll need to change distributors anyway. AS for the grind, that's up to the application. but the cost will be high in any case. Gramps.

Bored&Stroked · 11-08-2020, 09:44 AM

What type of distributor do you currently have and what is the overall amount of rework that has been done to the engine and what is the application (car, weight, transmission, gearing, how you drive it, etc.).

There is noting wrong with a stock cam for many applications (will have the best low-end power), but if you want more of a hotrod sound, then there are many choices - all depending on the application, the money you have to spend on new parts and changes, how the front of the engine is setup (front or side-mount distributor), the car it is in, etc..

tubman · 11-08-2020, 10:52 AM

We do need more information. If your avatar is the vehicle you are going to be using, your friend is probably wrong; if you're building a light roadster, he's probably right.

miwi · 11-09-2020, 02:07 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I'll use either a of Bubbas distributor or a Petronix. II want to use it in my '52 F1 that is nearly stock. I want just a bit more power so that I can keep up
better on the german Autobahn.

tubman · 11-09-2020, 02:53 PM

A couple of remarks. First, keeping up on the Autobahn may be more of an issue with the rear end gears rather than the engine. See this thread : https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=288337. Second, the cheapest and easiest way to get more performance out of a flathead Ford is to rework the heads for increased compression and optimum quench. It has been covered here and on the H.A.M.B. many times.

11-08-2020, 04:19 AM	#1
miwi Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 76	Camshaft for french flathead I'm rebuild a 255cui french flathead. It will get 2 Strombergs and Edelbrock intake. A friend said I should install a new cam. Are there any recommendations which cam shaft can be used for a 255 French. Thanks

11-08-2020, 07:55 AM	#2
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,963	Re: Camshaft for french flathead I do not believe it matters that it is a French flathead as to what cam you use. You first need to decide what distributor you want to run. After that it’s your choice. You will get many opinions. I have sold many of my KiWi-L100 cams than have been installed in French flatheads. Enjoy your flathead. Cheers Tony

11-08-2020, 08:25 AM	#3
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: Camshaft for french flathead Adding dual carbs, eliminates the stock distributor, so you'll need to change distributors anyway. AS for the grind, that's up to the application. but the cost will be high in any case. Gramps.

11-08-2020, 09:44 AM	#4
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,070	Re: Camshaft for french flathead What type of distributor do you currently have and what is the overall amount of rework that has been done to the engine and what is the application (car, weight, transmission, gearing, how you drive it, etc.). There is noting wrong with a stock cam for many applications (will have the best low-end power), but if you want more of a hotrod sound, then there are many choices - all depending on the application, the money you have to spend on new parts and changes, how the front of the engine is setup (front or side-mount distributor), the car it is in, etc..

11-08-2020, 10:52 AM	#5
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: Camshaft for french flathead We do need more information. If your avatar is the vehicle you are going to be using, your friend is probably wrong; if you're building a light roadster, he's probably right.

11-09-2020, 02:07 PM	#6
miwi Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 76	Re: Camshaft for french flathead Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'll use either a of Bubbas distributor or a Petronix. II want to use it in my '52 F1 that is nearly stock. I want just a bit more power so that I can keep up better on the german Autobahn.

11-09-2020, 02:53 PM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: Camshaft for french flathead A couple of remarks. First, keeping up on the Autobahn may be more of an issue with the rear end gears rather than the engine. See this thread : https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=288337. Second, the cheapest and easiest way to get more performance out of a flathead Ford is to rework the heads for increased compression and optimum quench. It has been covered here and on the H.A.M.B. many times. Last edited by tubman; 11-09-2020 at 07:15 PM.