Looking For 225 Cam Advice

I've been reading threads on Buick 225 camshafts and the posts quickly get over my head. I understand the principles of lift, duration, etc, but I'm lacking expertise on how to apply those numbers toward choosing the right cam. So I guess I'm looking for basic suggestions.

This 225 is going in a 2a. It just came back from the machine shop where it was bored .040, line hone and ground crank, and machined the head surface. That's about it for machine work. I'm not really planning any performance upgrades at this point, maybe a 4bbl intake when I can find one. This will be an around town, forest service road, mild off-roading jeep.

So does it make sense to go with a stockish cam like the Melling SBC8 or step up to the Comp Cams 252H? Those kinda seem like the main options. I haven't really found any reviews on the Melling cam and most I've read about the 252H are positive. I just need a push in the right direction I guess...

 

Comp 252. Broadens your rpm range slightly without losing bottom end. Nice and smooth. Essential to measure push rod length as the valve train is not adjustable. The heads may have been planned in machining, some variance in head gasket thicknesses, etc

 

Thanks guys! The heads are being freshened up, but the machine shop said they held pressure as is and the valves all looked good so all they are really doing is cleaning up the gasket surface and installing hardened seats.

 

Another vote on the 252H Comp Cam. Is Art down at Clackamas Auto Parts doing the machining or on the heads are they at Rick's Cylinder Head in Oak Grove? Either will do well by you.

 

Hey Nick - Art did the block and Rick has the heads. Rich said he was going to check with you about whether or not to go with bigger valves, but I can't remember if he did or not. He wasn't really sure on whether or not that would be worth it. Rick didn't really offer an opinion on going with bigger valves, just said he can do whatever I want him to. I'm hearing that the 252H is the way to go so thanks for making that easy on me!

 

For around town and mild trail use I'd just use the stock valve size. If you were really needing performance upgrades then I'd go bigger but then a different cam would be in order, possibly valve train geometry considerations, list goes on. Keep it simple is my opinion.

 

Any suggestions on lifters and push rods? Is it fine to mix and match brands or is it recommended I get everything from comp cams? I saw it was mentioned I’ll need to measure for the correct pushrod length.

 

I run a Isky..... but I dont remember the number ..... sounds great ,good power if sway was lighter it would be zippy.i also balanced the little guy so it's very smooth

 

Best to use the same brand of lifters to match the cam as they are engineered to work together. They can be mismatched but why would you take the chance of an issue? See what pushrods are recommended by the cam manufacturer and go from there.

 

Smith Brothers Pushrods in Redmond Oregon makes a nice set of adjustable pushrods for the 225

 

Any name-brand chilled iron lifter should be fine to use with aftermarket cams. Johnson Tappets, Sealed Power, TRW, oem GM, etc are good USA made lifters. Just follow the proper cam break-in proceedures at the initial start up, This is really important for camshaft life.
-Donny

 

I used the Comp 260H, and the motor is kind gutless below 1500rpm, above that is another story.

 

252 with crane lifters on the boys 70 it will do wheelies and burn all four tires till bald.

 

Installed an inexpensive Melling cam, lifters and a new timing set about a year ago. I have an Offenhauser 360, Carter AVS 4 barrel, 5.38 gears, TH350, lockers and 33's. I don't have much experience otherwise with cams but I go up some fairly steep stuff and it never bogs or hesitates and I still have a point ignition. Winds out at about 45-50 on the highway then I'll use the overdrive and I can cruise at about 60-65. Doesn't burn out the tires but has a nice smooth pull. Gets very good gas millage and temp stays good crawling around. No doubt there is better but the Melling worked for me.

Some good suggestions in this link.
Melling Sbc8 Cam

 

Looking for advice here. I'm strongly considering a 252 Comp cam. What exactly needs to be done about pushrods? Block and heads have been very slightly decked, just to clean them up.
225 Dauntless, I think pre 64.

 

Pushrods might need changed to accommodate the difference in lobes. Lifters always have to change with flat tappets.
YouTube buick nailhead cam swaps as Chevy is a different design.

 

Nailhead? Any 225 is from the Buick "small block" family, not nailhead. That's earlier. Just FYI.

 

I think JW was trying to say the Buick valvetrain design is a different setup than Chevy. The Nailhead groups shows specifics related to Buick valvetrains, where the 225 and Nailheads are very similar.
-Donny

 

I've ordered the 252 cam and a pushrod checker. What are the specs for length? Within .003, within .006? Just trying to learn here. Are there different length available? Do I buy adjustable length pushrods from Smith Brothers? Any other options?