regained to a buick straight eight cam

**kuhn1941** · 10-12-2014, 07:11 AM

I am asking advice on possible options for having my 248ci straight 8 cam being reground for more efficient and the tri power that I built for the motor . Right now the motor is coming apart , want to make sure while it is being rebuilt that I dont miss out on an easy improvement . The cam being a solid lifter , I have found a lot of rebuilds that mention cam regrinds and very happy with the performance . Please comment on positives and mpg gains also how much / what company did the work . Thank you .

**Bob** · 10-12-2014, 07:20 AM

As yet, I haven't had a cam reground, but when I am ready, I think I will be comfortable to take it to a nearby cam grinder and describing what I want from the motor build. He will ask some questions.

Please post the grind you end up with and after installing it, your thoughts.

**Buick Guy** · 10-12-2014, 03:16 PM

We have had good luck with Elgin Cams. Demi has been doing it for a long time.

**telekenfun** · 10-13-2014, 09:36 AM

I agree, Dema Elgin. He'll want to know all the things you are doing to the motor and how you are going to use it. Then he will grind a profile to best suit the circumstances.
However, the cam is actually the least important thing to modify on the Buick straight eight. First thing to change is to add improved intake and exhaust. Use the 1941 compound carb manifolds at a minimum to accomplish this. Next, some modern higher compression three ring pistons. Next is to install the largest valves the head can take along with porting and smoothing the passages. Implement some method to increase valve lift as Buick Straight Eight cams have have a finite limit to how much lift can be ground into the cam. Then finally you will have an engine that can benefit from a special grind cam. With those changes you will also need to recurve the advance characteristics of the distributor to realize the full benefit of your modifications. Any one of these mods will have very little significant improvement to the engines performance but the collective result will be very much worth the cost and effort.
Best Regards and good luck with all your endeavors, KB.

**wacker** · 10-13-2014, 10:08 AM

Elgin is currently working on my cam and them seems to know exactly what they are doing.
I sent in all my lifters to them and after their test they found out that two were too soft, and the managed to locate replacement (non repro ****) to me.
Thats good service I think.

**Jyrki** · 10-13-2014, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by wacker

Elgin is currently working on my cam and them seems to know exactly what they are doing.
I sent in all my lifters to them and after their test they found out that two were too soft, and the managed to locate replacement (non repro ****) to me.
Thats good service I think.

Yes, the aftermarket lifters are soft like butter, not even heat treated.

**LONG** · 10-13-2014, 11:15 AM

on my to do list. keep us updated. sending my dizzy to Bubba this winter, after show season.

**Jenz38** · 10-17-2014, 10:38 AM

I had my one, from my 263, also let new grinded from a Cam Shop here.
I told them my wishes ,what i in witch rev want and they make it.
They can't tell me the spects,but its a real "as you will like it" Cam.
I'm very satisfied with it.

**telekenfun** · 10-17-2014, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by wacker

Elgin is currently working on my cam and them seems to know exactly what they are doing.
I sent in all my lifters to them and after their test they found out that two were too soft, and the managed to locate replacement (non repro ****) to me.
Thats good service I think.

I suggest that you save all your old lifters. Clean them up in carb cleaner and ship them off to Delta Cams and have them resurfaced. They will be much better than any new ones you can get as the faces have been "work hardened". That's what I do with all my "Jimmy" lifters, and never a cam failure.
Best Regards and good luck with all your endeavors, KB