I have a Merc 1CM-2 Cam that is new and has never been in a vehicle. I was planning to put it in a flathead rebuild, but I sold my truck, and am now selling all my flathead parts.
For drivability it's about as good as it gets. Beats most regrinds up to about 2800 R.P.M. which is where the bulk of street driving is. Regrinds typically move the torque peak up into an R.P.M. range you don't use unless you're driving balls out all the time. Not to mention making your engine idle rough.( Yeah. I know-that's part of the "charm"; having that mean sound.)
I dropped a stock (rebuilt, .030" over, with stock 1-CM cam, stock tappets with valve stems ground to spec) in my '36 Five window coupe. Engine was fresh, had the Merc 4-bolt flange carb, stock distributer, Belond headers, dual exhausts. It replaced my warmed-over 5/16" X 1/4" I had in there for a year or so... Man, that 255" stocker surprised me...(I was going to re-cam and add some carburetion later on, after break-in...but never even considered it after 50 miles or so. Rings seated and it ran like a clock. (a fast one... LOL) Andy Granatelli had something to do with that final grind...he mentions it in his book. He was summoned to meet with the engineers about a problem in the 'breathing' dep't... The angular layout of cylinders in the 8 CM was different from the 59 AB. Anyway, I'd say great street cam...
From an earlier HAMB post: 49-51 ford "B" cam .305 lift int. opens 5*btc - closes44*abc set.017 exh. opens 48*bbc -closes3*atc set.019 52-53 ford "E" EAB cam .328 lift int. opens 21*btc - closes68*abc set.017 exh. opens 56*bbc - closes11*atc set.019 49-50 merc "8CM" cam .338 lift int. opens 10*btc - closes50*abc set.014 exh. opens 50*bbc - closes10*atc set.016 51-53 merc "1CM" cam .333 lift int. opens 5*btc - closes51* abc set.017 exh. opens 47*bbc - closes9* atc set.019
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