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View Poll Results: Which Cam
Isky Max 1 7 23.33%
Isky 77-B 1 3.33%
Original cam and new lifters 12 40.00%
Other 10 33.33%
Voters: 30. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 03-01-2018, 08:08 AM   #1
chopped 46 ford
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Default 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

1951 8CM
.030 over Ross Forged Pistons
Johnson style Hollow adjustable lifters
all new valve train
Offenhauser Heads
Offenhauser Intake
2 Stromberg 97's
GMC Bubba distributor

CAr is a 1951 Mercury and will have a Tremec T5 transmission.

Ok so which cam???
1...Max1
2...77B
3...Original cam-New lifters
4...other??

Last edited by chopped 46 ford; 03-01-2018 at 08:11 AM. Reason: added vehicle type
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Old 03-01-2018, 08:15 AM   #2
tubman
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

Before I answer, I need to know a couple of things. Did you check the original cam and lifters for wear? Have you preserved the original cam/lifter relationships? Are you a "Gold-Chainer" or "financially challenged" (such as myself).
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Old 03-01-2018, 08:24 AM   #3
Pete F
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

Quote:
Originally Posted by chopped 46 ford View Post
1951 8CM
.030 over Ross Forged Pistons
Johnson style Hollow adjustable lifters
all new valve train
Offenhauser Heads
Offenhauser Intake
2 Stromberg 97's
GMC Bubba distributor

CAr is a 1951 Mercury and will have a Tremec T5 transmission.

Ok so which cam???
1...Max1
2...77B
3...Original cam-New lifters
4...other??


Call Jerry at Schneider cams and don’t guess !!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Old 03-01-2018, 08:38 AM   #4
chopped 46 ford
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

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Originally Posted by tubman View Post
Before I answer, I need to know a couple of things. Did you check the original cam and lifters for wear? Have you preserved the original cam/lifter relationships? Are you a "Gold-Chainer" or "financially challenged" (such as myself).
Original cam "looks" ok but haven't truly checked it out. No didn't keep lifters together as i knew i wanted to run the adjustable style. I have no issue staying with the stock cam...that brings up the debate of old and new when it comes to lifters and cams. Just looking for what will give me decent mileage and decent power. Not trying to go racing, but i do want to out run my own shadow.
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Old 03-01-2018, 08:57 AM   #5
john in illinois
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

X2 Pete F ^^ I have a mild Schneider cam and it has gobs of torque which is what I wanted.

John

Last edited by john in illinois; 03-01-2018 at 09:06 AM.
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Old 03-01-2018, 09:14 AM   #6
KiWinUS
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

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Old 03-01-2018, 09:44 AM   #7
JWL
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

Stay with the stock cam for best all around "stock style" driving.
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Old 03-01-2018, 10:06 AM   #8
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

I'm with JWL. Cam swaps were popular in the past, but the cost now makes them risky, In my opinion the 77B is a wast of money, because it isn't much better than the stock cam, I like the Max #1 but that just as expensive as any other choice. Youe engine doesn't have enough low end torque to give away to a longer cam (Duration) If you could find an EAB/EAC cam, oK. Make sure you get the piston to head clearance down to .050 or less. This will be better thany cam you could chose.
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Old 03-01-2018, 10:07 AM   #9
chopped 46 ford
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

Reading all the posts in searches for cam info is worse than asking my three kids what they want for dinner......so many opinions.....so many options.
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Old 03-01-2018, 10:32 AM   #10
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

Quote:
Originally Posted by john in illinois View Post
X2 Pete F ^^ I have a mild Schneider cam and it has gobs of torque which is what I wanted.

John
Likewise. My '41 coupe has a Schneider 248F in a 284" 59A/B, Offy 425 heads 3x97 carbs. Great torque. I am running 3.27 rear end gears and can pull away easily from 15 mph in high gear.
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Old 03-01-2018, 10:41 AM   #11
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

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Originally Posted by Pete F View Post
Call Jerry at Schneider cams and don’t guess !!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thats my vote as well , have used a few of the Schneider cams , works very well..
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Old 03-01-2018, 10:41 AM   #12
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

The Mercs are heavy cars so torque is the most important thing. The OEM 8CM cam had decent torque but the EA series cam is likely a bit better as was mentioned. I don't know how the aftermarket cams will do for torque but JWL does.
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Old 03-01-2018, 11:16 AM   #13
chopped 46 ford
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

After all the reading.....I think I'm going to go with the Schneider 248.
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Old 03-01-2018, 04:20 PM   #14
Ol' Ron
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

Don't forget you have a stock displacement engine with low compression. The 249 Schnider cam is a good one and works well in a large engine.
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Old 03-01-2018, 06:55 PM   #15
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

We have basically the same engine as you . Mild 50 merc with 5 speed , Navarro heads Eddie Meyer twin 97s, Bubba distributor, Johnson lifters, Ross .030 pistons. Only ours is in a light weight 3W with a Kiwi-L100 cam , we love it , cool lumpy idle, and goes when the loud pedal is depressed. In the end you need to decide what your desired end result will be.
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Old 03-01-2018, 07:11 PM   #16
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

I'm with Bubba, Jerry at Schneider knows his business and stands behind his work.

Last edited by khschs; 03-09-2018 at 07:12 PM. Reason: Spelling
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Old 03-02-2018, 09:04 AM   #17
flat 39
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

Very happy with my Schneider F-260 cam. +.060 bore, Merc crank, twin holly 94, EAB heads.
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Old 03-02-2018, 02:26 PM   #18
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

Stick with the stock cam or the 53 EA at the most.
DO NOT put new lifters on a used cam.
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Old 03-05-2018, 12:00 PM   #19
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

i have a mild schneider cam in my merc been in there 10 years
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Old 03-09-2018, 04:23 PM   #20
Paul Bennett
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Default Re: 51 8CM build.....The dreaded Cam Debate

My research showed special cams simply move the power curve to high rpms at the expense of power below roughly 2200 rpm. Unless you shift into 2nd for getaway as a light, stay with original to mild cam aka 3/4 unless you plan to race it.
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