degreeing a cam?
Elder User
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Stock cams do not have an adjustment, the timing gear only fits on one way. The only adjustment is skipping a tooth that will more than likely prevent the engine from running, or make it run very poorly. If it is a performance piece, you may have to degree the cam. The stock cam should not be degree'd, not needed.
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From: Independence, MO
the stock cam dosent need it, but since your in there install a new chain and sprocket set for a late 60's- early 70's motor, reason being some of the later models had a retard built into the timing set. the earlier models didn't. DW
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Freshman User
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Sorry for the delay in responding. Thank you all for the answers. I have gotten a stock cam and will put it in just as soon as the weather breaks. It is either raining or snowing...
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
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Actually degreeing a cam is a bit more complicated. Take a look at this site, it should give you a good Idea on how it is done. http://www.boyleworks.com/ta400/psp/camshaft.html
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The purpose of degreeing a cam is to ensure that you installed it right, and to therefore ensure that you won't have an interference problem with the valve train. I personally think it's a good idea to degree any cam after installation to ensure that you got it right. You do not need to do a Piston to Valve clearance check with a stock cam though.
As far as adjustments are concerned, this is not really a function of the cam itself, but of the timing set used. If you use an adjustable timing set, there are several keyways in the cam gear which can be used to advance or retard timing in small increments. Adjustable timing sets can be just as easily used with stock cams as aftermarket cams.
I would also suggest that if you are replacing your timing set that you should at least use a good double roller chain set. Stock truck timing chains stretch quickly and create a lot of slop in the valve timing after only a few miles. A good double roller set is not a lot more money, and will last a long time and provide accurate valve timing for most of the life of the set.
-Matthew
As far as adjustments are concerned, this is not really a function of the cam itself, but of the timing set used. If you use an adjustable timing set, there are several keyways in the cam gear which can be used to advance or retard timing in small increments. Adjustable timing sets can be just as easily used with stock cams as aftermarket cams.
I would also suggest that if you are replacing your timing set that you should at least use a good double roller chain set. Stock truck timing chains stretch quickly and create a lot of slop in the valve timing after only a few miles. A good double roller set is not a lot more money, and will last a long time and provide accurate valve timing for most of the life of the set.
-Matthew
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Degreeing the cam merely verifies that it generates the valve events that it is supposed to. In some cases advancing or retarding the cam can result in improved power. This is accomplished with an adjustable timing set as I mentioned earlier.
-Matthew
-Matthew
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Basically what Mathew is saying is that Degreeing a cam ensure's that the Camshaft and CrankShaft are in perfect time with each other. Saying that when the Cam Lobe is in its Up Most point, the valve is fully open, so that the rest of the cycle is correct also.
To get a better picture. Take a cam and look at it. look at the (I call it) the sharpest point on the lobe. Then imagine the Lifter sitting top dead center, pushing up on the Push Rod, then the Rocker Arm etc...
Basically the reason I wanted to ask this question to start off with is that I dont want to spend alot of money on something I may only use 1 time in my life.
To get a better picture. Take a cam and look at it. look at the (I call it) the sharpest point on the lobe. Then imagine the Lifter sitting top dead center, pushing up on the Push Rod, then the Rocker Arm etc...
Basically the reason I wanted to ask this question to start off with is that I dont want to spend alot of money on something I may only use 1 time in my life.