Does anyone know a trick how to set the timing on a new hi performance cam with out having to use a degreeing wheel? #1, I dont have a degreeing wheel. #2, i never used one and no clue where to start. I dont want to set the timing at stock setting because I know ill have problems and a whole lot of performance loss . Its a '74 455 .0030 over 510 intake, 490 exhaust single timing chain and '70 heads and intake. if ya need mor info let me know. Thanks! ~ Vin
You really should degree the cam. It only takes an hour at most. I'm sure someone has a degree kit you could borrow or rent out from a speed shop. It's cheap insurance that the cam is installed properly. I installed mine "straight up". Then after I had to tear the engine down I decided to check the cam with a degree wheel. It was 4 degrees off. After doing it I idled better, and was .2 quicker in the quarter. Also, no guarantee that cam is ground as the card says it is. It's not uncommon for cams to be a couple of degrees off. Here's an article from HotRod magazine. Explains it pretty well, and it has pictures. http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/51124/ And here's another good one: http://www.jimcookperformance.com/TechNotes/TN6DegCam.html
Here's another web page (from our own Yardley's site) that helps with cam degree info. How to Degree a Cam
Go to your local parts store & get a degree wheel, I think there still under $20. You might need to rent or borrow a dial indicator though, there a little pricey. The directions are ok on the wheel but use the links posted above. It will really make the car run better. I too during the last cam change installed the cam straight up even after using the degree wheel. I got confused which is easy to do for me, because the cam I pulled out had 4 advance ground into it already. I have yet been back in to fix it though, maybe next month! One more thing you will need is a timing chain set that has several offset positions to lock the cam in place once your done. Ken
