Posted by Matt Wilson on Monday, January 28, 2002 at 10:55PM :
In Reply to: 230 & 251 high perf cams posted by Brett Wilsey on Monday, January 28, 2002 at 8:43AM :
I recently spoke with a guy who has an M-37. He has a 230 flathead with a Vintage Power Wagons (actually Isky) cam installed. He says the cam made a big difference in power (it's not a V-8, of course, but it sounds like the cam made it quite a bit better). He now frequently cruises at 56-57 miles per hour, and says he has taken it to 65 mph WITH 5.83's.
You might question the durability of the engine under such usage, but he took several precautions: He nitrided the crankshaft and had all the internals and the pressure plate and flywheel balanced. He also installed an aftermarket viscous harmonic damper. Apparently he's been driving this way for several years without any problems. I'm not recommending that you drive this way, and this is not to say that you have to do these other things to your engine. It's just an example of some of the power gains you might enjoy.
Have fun!
Matt
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