Cam timing for 400

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Jun 22, 2003 | 05:28 AM

dposey

Thread Starter

Trailering

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 17

Likes: 1

From: Central Texas

Cam timing for 400

I have a 78 F150 with a 400 and TCI C6. The 400 has an Edelbrock performer intake and carb, Melling RV cam and timing set, and Hooker Super Comp headers with dual exhaust. The EGR is connected and functional. The cam timing is set at the factory key, although it has 4 degree advance or retard keyways. My question is this: Should I have set it at the 4 degree advance? Several of the other posts on this site refer to retarded cam timing with the 400. It has good torque, but more would be better.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Jun 22, 2003 | 01:21 PM

bubbaf250

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 1,127

Likes: 3

From: (near) Denver USA

Cam timing for 400

Cam timing is specified by the cam manufacturer in terms of crankshaft degrees past TDC when the lifter is on the intake lobe centerline. If the timing set has multiple keyways in the crank sprocket, the 0 (zero) position should set the cam timing at the specified position.

Degreeing the cam is the only way to know for certain what the cam timing is. Both Comp Cams and Crane have good descriptions of the cam degreeing procedure on their web sites.