Re: [AMC-List] performance cam for 196 ohv

["John Elle" <johnelle@xxxxxxxxx>]

SNIP
GREETINGS  AMC  FANS!!!   I had heard a testemonial about the effects of
putting a cam with 0.10" added lift and 20 deg. duration in a 196 ohv
engine.  Also, is the cam the same as the flathead 196?   THANK  YOU
one
and all.     <mailto:redamc1963@xxxxxxxxxxx> redamc1963@xxxxxxxxxxx
SNIP
 
O.K., I guess I can not answer as to whether the 196 Flat head and OHV
engine used the same cam
or not although it is possible it did. But as to a performance cam, they
would not be the same 
specification even if it physically fit. Flat head engines are notorious
poor breathing engines due to 
the shape and size of the combustion chamber vs an overhead valve
engine. This does not take into
account any of the funky designs that AMC used for intake and exhaust
systems on the older I-6 
engines. (Funky yes, but were they the only ones? No!) Thus a flat head
engine does not like a 
performance cam with a lot of overlap. They do not breath well enough to
use the overlap. Thus they
like a lot of lift. An overhead engine is not really happy with a lot of
lift as you have more weight in the 
valve train and you have clearance problems with the valves and the
pistons but!!!!! They are a lot 
happier with over lap as the breathing is far better. 
I have used a cam in the "Leaning Tower of Power" the MOPAR slant 225,
and one in my AMC 258 
(along with other mods) to great success. You get a big bang for the
buck spent as far as I 
am concerned. 
I have also built up a successful Flat Head Ford V8, an AMC 390 and a
Simca 1400 cc engine. I am
sure that there are others too that have successfully installed cam
shafts in their favorite engines. I 
have a feeling when I put together my 232 for my Sportabout there will
be a cam hiding in there also. 
I use Iskenderian as I have always had good luck with them and they have
a user friendly Tech 
Support group. 
So, if you want the straight poop on cam specifications and applications
pick your cam shaft 
company and call their tech support for questions. 
My suggestion is to build a little hot rod engine. Select a cam with
upper rpm power. Forget about
the supposed low rpm torque monster mystique these engine seem to have
developed.
Check the specifications. 
They Got No Torque and what little they do have is just off of idle.
Then they drop dead.
A little hot rod engine is far more fun to drive. 
My 258 will full throttle shifts from 2nd to high at 75 mph (automatic)
and will cause the car to snatch when it 
happens. This works out to be in the area of 4300rpm and the engine will
wind out over 5000 rpm with out
any problem.
 
John. 
 
 
 
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