"Super Wildcat" (091) Cam

Discussion in ''Da Nailhead' started by Marty World, May 31, 2012.

  1. Marty World

    Marty World Well-Known Member

    Does anyone have for sale a NOS or used "Super Wildcat" cam (091) for a 425?

    Thanks,


    Marty
     
  2. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    check with Russ Martin.... in California,,, he comes up with one once in a while.....
     
  3. Imo Apita

    Imo Apita Member

    What is the big deal about this cam?
    Buick noobie here, no offense.
    if you now the numbers it can be easily copied by one of the cam manufacturers right?
     
  4. CameoInvicta

    CameoInvicta Well-Known Member

    It's argued to be the best performing stock cam Buick offered. Very similar to the other Nailhead grinds Buick used, but it was ground on a 109* LSA verses 114*. Check this out for more info; http://www.teambuick.com/reference/misc/cam_specs.pdf.

    It's still a very mild cam compared to a performance grind.
     
  5. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    IMO,,,,, I like that,,,,,
    The 091 cam is a factory ''super wildcat'' cam that came from Buick on the engines that had the factory 2x4 performance option..... and yes it is not a super performance cam,,, but,,,, it is a very, very good all around cam that will take any carb that you put on it.... I have run /raced/driven engines with this cam and was never disappointed with it.... the grind is a Zora Arkus Duntov grind ..... and there are actually 2 versions of it used in the past,,,, one has 109 deg. lobe separation and the other has 112 deg.....
    Like I always say ,,, I wish I had a truckload of them..... :laugh:
    Duntov is the engineer that was in charge of the performance division of GM in the late 40's / 50's/60's.... he designed the famous chevrolet 097 cam.... and Pontiac cams.... don't know about Olds cams.....
    Yes,,,, progress has progressed,,, and there are more high performance cams out there ,,, but a lot of them are close to the 091 grind..... and..... some of them are , no doubt, even better,,, but for a reasonable priced, good performing, nailhead cam , ,,, a man cannot go wrong using the 091.....
     
  6. Marty World

    Marty World Well-Known Member

    Good morning Doc.

    Two versions of the "091" cam? I know the 109 lsa cam was used as part of the super wildcat 425, but what was the application of the 112 lsa cam?

    Thank you,

    Marty
     
  7. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    KB told me that , that cam ''superseded'' the original 091 cam after people that bought supercat powered cars complained about the rough idle....the wider spread smoothed out the idle some,,, but,,, it dropped the performance some....not much,,, but some....I ran a holly 950 cfm three barrel carb with mine and the car ran really strong....
     
  8. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    Here's a chart showing the cams used in the later Nailheads:
    www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?30928-Post-your-Cam-Specs!

    The '091 cam was used in 1963-1965 401's and 64-66 425 2x4 engines. A similar cam was used in 59-61 401's, but advanced a few degrees.

    The other stock cam had 114 degree lobe centers.
     
  9. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    I got one from him. I was of the impression that it was the only one that he had, but I would give him a call or an e-mail. I hope to install mine this winter. I have a couple of other issues that come first, though.
     
  10. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    Zora Arkus Duntov also was the guy who came up with the "Ardun" heads for the flathead Ford. You could make a three-main-bearing Hemi out of the Ford flathead!
     
  11. rsmalling

    rsmalling Well-Known Member

    Hi all, Im a new member and dont want to hi jack this thread but....
    in regards to the super wildcat cam, Im going through the 425 in my 65 rivi and have the original cam. Its got a lobe that is rounding off. I sent it to a Cam shop in WA to have it repaired and they sent me back a regrind off the shelf.... I was less than pleased. I got my original cam back thankfully. After going through that I bought a TA 20, but I would really like to use my original cam. Who would I send it to that could bring it back to original spec? Or is it still best to go with new cam rather than a repaired one?

    thanks for any input

    65 rivi Engine Job 007.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2012
  12. JZRIV

    JZRIV Platinum Level Contributor

    Rob,
    I'd try checking with Schneider http://schneidercams.com/otherservices.aspx. They advertise restoration services. As you probably know, thats who built your TA-20. Someday I'll have my original restored.

    I held an original NOS 091 cam in my hand a couple months ago. A good friend has it and he bought it 20 years ago for like $50 or $70. He plans to install it in his 66 Riv.
     
  13. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    Many years ago,,, if you had a new , original cam , you could send it to several different manufacturers and have it duplicated....and a lot of guys did that....the thing that is critical is the hardness of the cam after it is ground.... I am told that comp cams is able to do this... they are in Memphis.... and isky in cal... I think.... but after a cam is ground it has to be tempered so it will hold up.....
    I think you could get the specs from the forum here and have a cam ground to the original 091 specs.....by either one of those companies.....
     
  14. rsmalling

    rsmalling Well-Known Member

    Thanks Doc and Jason

    I guess Ill go with the TA 20 since I already have it..... But Ill hang on to my orig cam for something down the road.
     
  15. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    I remember an article in HOT ROD several decades ago about someone who needed to save a special crankshaft that had spun a bearing. The fix involved metal spraying - a process whereby molten metal is sprayed onto the damaged surface, then after the metal has hardened, the part is machined to the desired dimensions, then the item is heat-treated. My guess is that this could be done to your cam, but I also suspect that it is a pricey process.
     
  16. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    Hey, John.... back in the 60's, around Houston, it got to be popular to flame spray headers and wheels.... and exhaust manifolds.... if it was done right , it really looked good.... and protected the metal from corrosion.... but now days it is hard to find anyone that will do automotive stuff.... at least around here....
     
  17. 66gsconv

    66gsconv nailhead apprentice

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