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I have a 1954 chevy with a 235 inline six in it. I am looking to get a high performance cam. I have a holley 390 4bbl and split headers from clifford. I am looking at the Howard M4F and also the Howard F290. The F290 has .435 lift, 17/51 intake, 51/17 exhaust, and is at 248 degrees. Does anyone have any experience with this F290 cam? Also would this cam be right for my truck? Any help would be great! Thanks,
-old54truckluvr

Just as a comparison in case you don't have it, my M4F has .420 lift 8/48 I and 48/8 E @236 degrees. I have 2 Holley/Webers that outflow the 390 4bbl and it performs great but with a little more bottom end than the higher RPM 290 which these older engines don't like unless they're totally built for it. It's also a little rumpy which I like. Sort of reminds me of those early Buick V8 sounds.

Patrick from Patrick's Antique Cars is very knowledgeable on cams for the 235. I would call him with questions.

The M4F is a fairly mild cam, we used to call it a 3/4 race cam. With it in a 235 you will give up a little bottom end torque. You will gain some in the top end. I put this cam in my 235, which is otherwise stock. I can set the idle at 500 rpm and have had the engine turning 4,500 rpm.

A good friend has a full-race cam in his hot 261. I don't know if it's the F290. He did serious work to the engine. Bottom end balanced, head professionally shaved and ported, Unilite distributor with a MSD6 box, cast Fenton headers and dual Holley-Webers on an Offy intake. He has the idle at 600 rpm, it is a little lumpy, but not bad. This engine has spun around 6,000 rpm while doing burnouts. It would be way to much cam for an otherwise stock 235.

My 261 with the F290 is similar to the one that Fred T is describing that belongs to a friend. I do not race it, but I put my foot in it now and then. It has solid state ignition, was completely balanced, decked and blocked and all modern parts
internally. It has Fenton headers and (2)Holley-Webers on an Offy intake. My engine was built by a friend who has been building winning NHRA super stock engines for 40 years. It is not very lumpy, yet I've watched the tach go to 4,500 rpm many times. It is fun to drive.

BTW, I get about 14 mpg ... granny 4 speed and original 4:11 rear end.

I'll bet you would be happy with either cam.

shoeless

How does the M4F 3/4 race mild cam perform in a 261 with dual intake and holley/weber carbs, fenton headers ?

I just wiped two lobes from my M4F Howards. In checking around I got a lot of feedback that it was not an uncommon problem with Howards. Several say they are reground cores that may not be properly hardened. I don't know but it didn't last long so I will replace with something else.
BTW, this engine has virtually no miles on it.

53moneypit if it is any consolation I also had a Howards M4F cam go flat on me. I called Patricks where I got it and he made good on it. The only thing he had at the time was a stock cam, but he sent it to me free. You might want to talk to him. Hope this helps.
Tom

UPDATE: While being convinced that I'd mysteriously wiped both lobes from #6 cylinder I had a pleasant surprise this morning as I tore it apart. After removing the side cover to pull the lifters on #6 I removed the rear rockers only to find that the rocker arm shaft was broken in two. Imagine my surprise. Never had that happen before but while it's still a pain in the shorts it's a darn site better than having to pull a cam. I had not even considered that might be my problem. Only goes to show that we are never to old to learn. Just call me "Lucky".

The howard cams from patricks are supose to be brand new and not reground.I talked with patrick last week about his cam shafts.