degree a cam

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Aug 28, 2007 | 07:20 PM

2classics

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Aug 2004

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From: NE Wisconsin

degree a cam

Is there a way to tell how your cam is degreed, while in the truck? Possibly without removeing the timing cover? Also, How do you degree in a cam? I know I read how once, but canot find the book again. The reason I ask is I don't think my 400 has the snot it should. Wonder if I set the cam correctly. Double checking cam specs right now.

Aug 29, 2007 | 07:43 PM

grclark351

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Joined: Dec 2002

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From: chicago burbs

should be theoretically possible to check it out if you pull the balancer off and get your degree wheel on the crank snout, and pull the passenger side valve cover and set up your dial indicator. use a piston stop tool to find TDC and make a pointer. as long as you can see the pointer on the degree wheel accurately? most of the cam manufacturers, comp, crane..., have instructions on how to do it correctly on their websites.

what cam do you have in it and how are your timing gears set?

does your cam card specify that there is advance ground in? it might be even if it doesn't say, call the manufacturers tech line and ask them specifically for your grind and part number.

Aug 30, 2007 | 05:41 PM

2classics

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 620

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From: NE Wisconsin

Cam card does not say. I Shot Isky an email, but nothing back. Guess I'll have to call. My timing gears are set to 0 deg. if the cam is ground to 0. Cam is an Isky 256 supercam. Also tried to look up specs. to compare the ramp to the xe256, but couldn't find anything on the comp site. If anyone has a link, I would like to look at it. Would being too advanced hurt off the line? That's where I think I'm weak.

Aug 31, 2007 | 05:23 PM

grclark351

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From: chicago burbs

advanced will help off the line.

Aug 31, 2007 | 06:06 PM

Redtires019

Cross-Country

Joined: Jul 2007

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We use to have a way to do this at the track. It has been 10 years but here is what I remember. You will need a dial indicater however and preferrably a magnetic base.

Quote:

Put masking tape on the balancer
verify TDC #1 with a dead stop
mark this on tape on balancer
turn cam to .050 specs on intake and mark position on tape. Make sure to note opening mark and closing mark
do same for exaust. Note marks again, marks separate from Intake (ex put EVO next to exaust valve opens mark).
Remove tape and apply to a flat surface
Measure the diameter of the balancer.
Diameter x Pi (3.14) equalls the circumfrence. Divide the Circumfrence by 360.The results gives you how many inches per degree.
Measure how far either before or after the TDC mark your valve timing marks are Convert fraction to decimal and divide it by how many inches are in a degree (figure from number 8)

An example

Lets say we have a 9 inch diameter harmonic balancer. 9*pi =28.26 inches. Divide that by 360 degrees in a circle and we get .0786 inches. If the mark for the intake valve was 1 15/16th before TDC. 1 15/16 = 1.9375. Divide that by .0786 and we get 26.6 degrees before TDC.