I has a 59A block and I find 2 blocks and both cracked so I will try pin one as I has 1 crack from exhaust to cylinder. -Maybe I found a good block, or maybe not so I take the chance here. As I build it myself I take responcibility. It is stock bore and as I did not pay much for it and can bore/deck and install a sleeve here in shop I will hone it clean and order custom pistons flat top from CP with modern ring tech. I'm not after big HP heter but a fun sounded FH. But on the cam I read about the Jr 400 and was told nice sound but only for full throttle. Ideas on a cam sound fun but not as hard on springs/lifters ? I also heard its hard to find decent lifters now and know allot about this China **** to many V8 that use flat tapped hydralic with only problems now.. This is how it gets when greed comes in and its only on money. in every way both sellers & customers. Its truly sad. As I can do bigger camtubbels here in shop I can get the #1-2 journals bigger, I guess all the way to FE Ford might work That get me a bigger basecircle, and light valves/lifters its good and cam can be grinded more modern. I has no clue if some shops sell tool steel cams or can make custom cams to FH ( ex Bullit ) Then let ex Crower do a roller lifter. But either way a std cam journal in cast I don't like issues on heavy low quality material China lifters. I read on the old Jonssons - but find a set now ? If anyone has a set new or need grinded maybe ex Elgin Cams can regrind them ? Ideas ?
I run a Potvin 3/8th cam in my 292 c.i. flathead. It's in my '28 AV8. 28 tooth cluster and 3.78 rear. Motor has a lot a work and I run an aluminum flywheel. It sounds like a race engine and accelerates like a one too. I am super happy with this cam choice. Other cams similar to it are: Isky 1007B L-100 being ground by Kiwi Tony in North Carolina. I have one of his L-100's on the shelf and will use it for a future build.
You say you are not looking for big HP then you talk about all kinds of radical stuff. I build lots of street rod flatheads . No race stuff. Almost all 274 C I D. Half with 400JR. Half with L100. Most with repro lifters. Not a problem. PS: I am building two 1/2" stroker flatheads right now,
Frames, As I said I did not pay much for block ( less than USD 100 as cracked ) so keep the cylinders thicker I can invest in CP pistons, and compare to ex Mahle its not much more expensive, and then I'm forced bore allot. I heard some bad things on China lifters, but I can't tell. Quality steel feels better, but who made them now. I don't rely on China stuff, and I'm now building a SBC supercharged and forced to use a old block but I would never install a China flattapped hydralic in it as its more or less asking for problems. It will be a steeel hydralic roller and if customer say no ( vs economy ) I don't build it. Back in the days it was never a issue on cast cams and flat tapped hydralics from ex Lunati etc. As I can ( I make line bore fixtures ) I can get the tunnel bigger, but if anyone has steel cores or a good grind on them I don't know. ( I has not asked around ) I'm pleased with a cast good cam and good lifters aswell of course as I'm not building HP here. I do like some rew and HP and good sound and 'decent driving'. Question, how is the Jr400 drive from a Potvin old grind ? A guy here has a 29 roadster with a 59A and a Potvin cam and 39 gearbox and told me it's a pain. So is the Jr400 to ruff for decen't street 'hot rodding', or ? I has a Lincoln 39 gearbox and I'm aware of this is not new tech ( and I like it that way to )
Which Potvin grind does he have? I can only speak to the 3/8th Super and I love it. 28 tooth gear box and 3.78 rear and I can take off from a rolling stop in second. There are a lot of Potvin cam grinds, so need to know what he has. We want to help you, but when talking cams you need to be very specific.
For those who can get regrinds, the Isky 88 is a great cam with more overlap than a 400 Junior (For sound lovers.... as it's LUMPIER than orphanage-oatmeal.) Good street and strip cam with good mid-range.
The Jalopy Journal
