Hello..

Question's about the need to degree a camshaft and maybe even how to:

Is it worth your time to degree a new cam when you install it on a daily driver/wannabe hotrod? OR a waste of time because a stock timing set will get you close enough?

Do you have to pull the heads to degree a cam?

Can you tell I've never done this before?


What would retarding/advancing it do? I have an idea but I having a hard time grasping the concept..

Anyone know what the stock cam timing for a 87 EFI era 302 would be?



Chad

 

8 degrees retarded is what you have now. Don't advance the cam timing unless you degree it yourself. Most aftermarket cams are ground 4 degrees advanced for better low end torque, and any aftermarket timing set will show you "strait up", as the stock timing sets are 8 degrees retarded, even when the marks are lined up. The reason they do this is to reduce emissions, but some racecar drivers also retard the cam timing, because it also improves high RPM Horsepower slightly. advancing the timing will favor low RPM torque, but only if done slightly, as in 4 degrees. You'll have major problems if you over-advance the cam timing, and you're motor will not run well, and it won't live long either. Aftermarket cams with advance ground into them are alright to put in without degreeing, but only when used with a quality timing set that isn't retarded to begin with, like a stock or stock replacement unit, and if the timing set has multiple keyways, make sure you use the strait up keyway. You don't have to have the heads off to degree the cam, but I don't know any other way to do it, but I know there is. You'll have to use a dial gage on the vavlespring, so that you can see it opening. If you are planning on keeping the stock cam, then you'll pick up a little bit of low end torque by putting it in strait up, but I don't think it's a good idea to advance a stock cam, I've heard you run into severe detonation problems there. Bottom line is, if you use an aftermarket performance timing set, you'll be fine reinstalling the stock cam "strait up", and pick up just a little bit of low end grunt. Personally, I don't degree cams, but then again, I'm not fighting for .015 seconds at the track on saturdays either. TK

 

So degreeing a cam is kinda like splittin hairs huh? I see what your saying..

Great info, anwsered all my questions, thanks.


Chad