Are 360 cams factory retarded?
 

Hey guys, as the title states, are 360 factory cams retarded? My wife got me a gasket set and a timing set as it jumped time 2 years ago and has sat since. So for right now the motor isn't coming out, just gonna do an in frame to kinda freshen it up, to get it back in a running state so time can be spent elsewhere like floor pans. Anyways i have the edelbrock 7808 with 3 keyways (4retarded, stock, 4advanced). Some of my research says to advance it as i'd rather have low rpm torque rather than high rpm h.p. I know i should swap out the cam or make it a 390 but that ain't the goal for now. It does already have edelbrock intake and a quadrajet on top and i'm hopeing i can squeeze a set of headers into this job. What's yalls input?

Sorry, forgot the basics: 1976 F100 360, AT, 2WD, single cab short bed.

The only sure way to know is to degree the cam.

Put it straight-up. The 1972-up 360's had a different timing set - the retard/advance was done in the (I think) cam gear. The cam itself is "normal". So if you're putting an aftermarket timing set on it, "straight-up" will be pre-1972 cam timing.

Bend any valves?

Don't know yet on any bent valves, i hope not though. The heads are coming off anyways to do head gaskets so everything will be looked at. I'm gonna pull the truck up to the house this week and hopeing to atleast get the radiator pulled out.

Update: yesterday pulled the fan and radiator, today pulled the fuel pump, alternator, and water pump. Then i pulled rhe valve covers...driver side looked fine, passenger side not so much. The rocker shaft broke on the front side of the second pedestal. The front pexestal bolt was out and not broke. I'm thinking front bolt backed out putting too much pressure on the shaft at the next pedestal causing it to snap.

dang. how's the head surface where the pedestal was?

Not sure yet, to nasty to tell. Heads coming off to do head gaskets so i'm gonna get it cleaned up. Hopefully it didn't move around so much that it took metal off. Rocker shaft from auto zone is only $26 unless i find someone giving some away.

If the heads don't have hardened valve seats nows the time to do them.