[ponyakr]

".... low buck 455...Is there another inexpensive cam out there that may be a better choice?..."

From a low buck, inexpensive standpoint, I'd go with a Summit 2802 and some lifters & springs from Paul Spotts. The cam is $72.97 shipped. The lifters are $59 shipped. And the springs are $99 shipped. $72.97 + $59 + $99 = $230.97 Total
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-2802

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Hydrauli...xZODlz&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VSH3-Pontiac...NW0LgK&vxp=mtr

If you still wanna go with an 041 clone, the Melling SPC-8 cam is cheaper than the Crower 60919. Many agree that all the 041 clones are made by CMC and sold under several different brand names. Today, the Melling is $109.98 shipped from an Ebay store.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Camsh...RZMqws&vxp=mtr

Or, you can buy the cam & lifter kit, along with the springs listed above, from Paul Spotts, $175 + $99 = $274 Total.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-Ram-...1Uwp5F&vxp=mtr

As always, with an 041 clone, I'd prefer the Rhoads original lifters with the Super Lube option. But, they're $100 more than the Spotts liifters, and they make a ticking sound that many don't like.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/r...w/make/pontiac

A few more cams that are in the same neighborhood, between the 2802 & the 041 clone are: Crane 283951, Voodoo 268, Crower 60243, and Howards 410051-14.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...IaAusEEALw_wcB

http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=1776&gid=287

https://www.crower.com/camshafts/pon...m-284-hdp.html

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...w/make/pontiac

Not sure how much difference there would be between all these cams, on the dyno. I think Cliff Ruggles has posted dyno specs for the Crower cams, and Paul Carter has posted dyno specs for the Voodoo cams.

"... Edlebrock carb..."

"...I'd like all I can get and still run pump gas, be reliable ect..."

I'd dump that E-carb & go with a good 800cfm Q-jet by Cliff, SMI, or some other good Q-jet builder.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Jim Hand was using Rhoads V-Max lifters with super lube on his latest (that I know of...) version of his engine. Cam was the Wolverine 5059 (which is no longer made). The 5059 is a fuzz more cam than the 041.
If you pick ANY cam and decide not to use either version of the Rhoads lifters...again...the Hylift Johnson lifters are the only choice!!!

Jim did say that the V-Max lifters are quieter. I have heard Jim's engine with original and the V-Max lifters. With the V-Max lifters, I could barely tell that the lifters were anything but stock lifters......

[ponyakr]

"...the Hylift Johnson lifters are the only choice!!!..."

Lots of guys disagree with this. Paul Spotts is one of 'em.

"...These are the best Pontiac and Oldsmobile lifters available.
I've been using these for many years without any problems.
All my Pontiac cam kits include these lifters..."

I assume these are not Hylift Johnson lifters, since I have never seen a pic of those showing the lower groove Paul mentions. Anybody have a pic of a recently puchased Hylift Johnson lifter you can post ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PONTIAC-FIRE...5RbEfW&vxp=mtr

Current pics of CC HFT lifters show the lower groove type.

http://www.compcams.com/Products/CC-...ters%27-0.aspx

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-852-16

http://www.jegs.com/i/COMP-Cams/249/852-16/10002/-1

So, maybe the CC lifters are the same lifters Paul Spotts sells, but at a higher price. ???

I personally have no idea which lifters are best. I've bought nothing but Rhoads since back in the '70's. Never a problem. I've read that the Rhoads are modified Hylift Johnson lifters.

I like the idea of the extra oil to the cam, provided by the Rhoads Super Lube option, and the Crower Cam Saver option. I have never heard anything bad about Crower hyd lifters. Have any of you guys ?

[adeeos]

Thank you all for the responces and suggestions. Yes, I would like to swap out the e-carb for a quad