Trying to figure out what possibilities I have choosing a camshaft for my 426 Max Wedge engine (0.30 oversize block, 286 heads with stock size valves, stock crossram with 3447 carbs, manual transmission car).

The idea of trying to duplicate the characteristics and behaviour of original engine is currently the most appealing. This could be achieved by choosing a grind that has same specifications as the original and using mechanical lifters.

Another possibility would be to use modern technology to either keep the original characteristics or improve them. Improving the cam could be used just to correct possible "design flaws" or to bring out the max power from the "Orange Monster". Is there still a need to use mechanical lifters today?

Care to share your thoughts?

Max wedge you want a solid lifter cam , is this going to be a race/show car or will it see a lot of street duty ?

A solid roller would be the way to go if you want to improve on the original grind ...

i guess a lot depends on you. the original cams weren't what i'd call hot. the original '62 413 and '63 426 "stage 1" were around 300 degrees .509 lift. the stage 2 426 was 308 .520 lift and i believe the '64 415hp used the same cam. the race stage 3 used and isky 1012b, fairly hot for street. for the original stage 1 and 2 i doubt the .050 duration was over 240 degrees. i ran a stage 2 cam back in the day and it wasn't radical. both the stage 1 and 2 cams had a wide lobe seperation, 115 i think. the 1012b was 108, if i remember correctly. an engle k65 will approximate a stage 1 415hp 426. it will yield around 295 degrees at the seat, 238@.050, .510 lift, like a little compression without needing a loose converter.