Hi, I have n Edlebrock Timing set for my 79 351W with the stock cam. I was wondering how I install it to advance the cam. I know that you put it in the advanced keyway but it seems that doing this would still have the set installed straight up, just using the advanced keyway. So I guess I'm asking, do you have to turn the cam or crank, or is just using the different keyway what advances it? Sorry for the Dumb question but for some reason I'm baffled by this.

Josh

 

So yeah the timing set will stay the same in relation to the crank but the cam is now offset a few degrees from straight up.

 

Hmm. I guess its confusing because when I put the set on and the crank sprocket on the keyway it seems that the only thing i've done is change keyways and not actually changed the timing. So is the difference just very slight? It seems that the crank to camshaft relationship has not changed at all. I don;t know if that even makes any sense. I promise I'm not dim and I'm sorry if Im over complicating this.

Thanks again,
Josh

 

Yes, the difference is very slight. if you are degreeing the cam to mfg specs you are fine, however if you are advancing/retarding the cam for other reasons I would highly recommend using plasti-gauge to check valve/piston clearance

 

So basically, If I have the aftermarket gears set to "straight up", the only thing I have to do is move the crank gear to the advance key way and I'm done? Will I have to move the cam any?

 

The advance key rotates the cam. BUT...and an IMPORTANT BUT!!!!!!

Use plasti-gauge to check the clearance between the valve & pistion after you do this. Some cam grinders leave as little as .001 of an inch clearance and if you adavance the cam without checking this befor firing the engine, it may not happen right away, but up to 1000 miles later on the engine as things begin to loosen up- you may not have enough clearance and the next thing you know is you have a valve that has gone through the piston!