Here's some info on my 261 setup that I hope helps in cam choice. I have run this setup round trip from Canada to Mexico twice carrying a camper for 9,000 lbs. gross and it has proven itself well on the road.

I have a Crower cam in my 261 that came out of my 235 along with that 848 head, so about 9:1 compression. Head is not milled except enough to ensure it's flat. Here are the specs from the cam card:
- Solid lifter,
- Advertised duration - in & ex 252 deg.
-Duration @ 0.050 - 220 deg.
- lift 0.450
Clearance IN 0.016 Exh 0.020
Split overlap but ground 4 deg. advanced.

Minimum Valve-to-piston clearance when in the 235 was 0.055 at 8 deg BTC. 261 deck height is a little more so that figure is probably higher but I saw no reason to measure it.
Valve action is a bit noisy but valve guide life is good. Bronze guides.
Pulls from about 1300 RPM in town but the real on-the-road power band is from about 2500 up. I down-shift at 2400 unless I see that the upcoming hill is steep, then 2600. I never found the top of the range. Never tried. Sweet spot on the road is about 2800 or 65MPH in overdrive. Idle is a bit lumpy if the carbs' idle screws are set too lean. Runs about 10" vacuum on a level road at 2600RPM at 2500Ft. elevation.

Exhaust valve opens 0.050 at 44 deg BBDC. I'd like to see this closer to BDC because the of exhaust noise and manifold and pipe heat.

Close ratio trans setup with about 300 RPM between gears. This probably would not work well with a straight 4-speed where you lose 50% between shifts. I lose about 20%.

1951 3800 1-ton
"Earning its keep from the get-go"
In the DITY Gallery
1962 261 (w/cam, Fenton headers, 2 carbs, MSD ign.), SM420 & Brown-Lipe 6231A 3spd aux. trans, stock axles & brakes. Owned since 1971.