Solid or Hydraulic for the Street????

I run a 097 cam in my 57 Fuel injected BelAir (283 CI/283 HP)--have run one for 34 yrs in this car--put in again when I rebuilt it--love the sound and the FI likes this cam as it seems to work the best with FI--lots of punch for a small mtr in a heavy car- has manual 3 spd and a 3:70 posi--very drivable and doesn't require alot of adjustment--never has unless you really flog it-- idle is about 800-850 and vacuum is 14-14 1/2 inches-studs were pinned 30 yrs ago
tried different cams over the years in this combo and 097 works the best for this application as it is what was orig to this motor--didn't run well at all with a .030-.030--no low end and way too much for a 283 in this application. With that said, there are some modern hydraulics that perform very well and require little maintainance-I have had very good luck with a Sig Erson cam that is a split duration-ran the best of any cam I tried (8 different ones) in a 55 with a 10.5 327 with 461 ported heads and a 700R with a 3:55 rear--best driveablity and best 1/4 mile times-lots of low end and midrange-still a fan though of the old 097

 

I rebuilt the 283 in my old 40 Ford. I bored it .060 and installed a " 097 " Duntov camshaft in it. It sounds good and runs well.



I installed all new valve train in the engine ... so when I cranked it and got it running ... I had to adjust the valves a few times in the first 1200 miles or so. I installed a set of Poly-Loks and then the valve adjustments became almost non existent



Jeffery James has seen and heard the 40 ... ( another HAMBER owns it now )

He can tell you how it sounds and runs ...

Put the solid lifter " 097 " in it with a set of Poly-Loks and forget about it ...

 

Damn Deuce, I need those Poly Loks! Yeah the car sounds and runs awesome. Actually I wish see it more often as it's a huge inspiration!

 

guys ran solids to allow higher RPM performance. Cams could be more radical and the torque and HP curves moved up the RPM range. Hydraulic flat tappets are limited to around 6200-6300 rpm. The cam you have speced is a small cam with a performance range suited to the street. I just don't see any reason to go with solids in this application unless you want the ticking sound. Just my 2 cents

 

Exactly.