For whatever it’s worth I have an Isky E4 in my 312 and am very happy with the low to midrange performance. I have a 55 T-Bird w/T-86 3 speed OD and non OD 3.78 rear. It wakes up around 1,000 rpm.

1955 312 T-Bird Warwick, NY

Ok, tanks for info. do you think it is special valve springs for a -57 stock camshaft?

Oregon Cams, out of Vancouver Wash, can make a copy the 1957 Cam, which is a step up from your 1956 Cam, assuming that your engine wasn't overhauled at some point previously?. I mention that because Ford's factory replacements after '57 were actually '55 cams or according to Mummert, close to truck spec's.. A  '57 cam has more lift & duration than the earlier Cams, but not enough to cause issues with the auto trans.. .


Paul

I ran a regrind of the 57 Blower cam for some time. Still have the engine stashed away. A bit more radical than the stock 57 cam but a good mild street cam. Not sure exactly how this compares to the Isky E4.

Take a look at Mummert's 57+ cam. It has more lift (Ted says Y-blocks like lift) than the E4 and a wider lobe separation angle (111). Ted has recommended an E4 ground with 112 LSA vs. 108 for off-the-shelf E4. 

E4 is good, watch the deck height and thickness of the head gasket (important) Isky or Johnson lifters are good.

Hi.
I have a Mercury Montclair from 1956 with a 312. The engine is out from the car for renovation of the heads and general overhaul of the engine.
I will keep it stock, but perhaps upgrade the camshaft one step from stock if possible. 
What i have is:
Stock 312 from 1956  225HP
Engineblock: Stock ECZ 6015C
Heads:Stock ECZ- C comp.9,0 :1
Intake manifold : ECZ 9425-B singel 4 barrel.
Exhaust manifold: Stock
Carburattor  : Edelbrock 1404 cfm 500
Rockerarms : ECG 6564  ratio 1.54:1
Distributor : from  y-block 1961 with Ignitor
Transmission : Merc-O-Matic 3-speed
Rear axle: stock with gear ratio 3:15

If i choose a new camshaft with stock spec. which brand has best quality (US made) and type of ? same for the lifters.
If i want little more out of the engine can i go for Isky 3000444 (E4 ) with the spec. above? or is there any camshaft in between stock camshaft and E4 with good quality?
I prefer a low and mid range camshaft , i only use the car for street and crusing, and it is importante with good idle.