Only runs 40 Degrees advanced

@yellow rose - Can you explain this part more?


Roll the crank to TDC number 1 firing. Then roll the crank exactly 180 degrees more and you are on the overlap stroke for that cylinder.

Then just look at the rockers. It will give you a clue as to where the cam is installed.

Years ago, I was in a 2 man shop. We were so busy, we hired a guy who was a customer to help out. He couldn't run a machine, but he could clean parts and we knew he had done some assembly.

I had a rule. Any engine I put together the cam gets degreed. Every engine. Every time. Always. This was explained to him. I said don't screw my customers because I charge for it. So if you don't degree the cam, the customer is getting billed and you'll be screwing him twice. Once for charging him for something he didn't get, and screwing him for not doing it.

I had a vacation coming up and we had a Ford Stroker going together. We decided to let this guy do it. I again told him degree the cam. He said I will.

The engine was gone by the time I got back. I said, did you degree the cam??? He says sure did.

A few days later, the customer calls and said the engine won't fire. I'm like WTF??? So I say check a couple of things and call me back. Nothing I suggested worked.

So I have to climb into the car and drive over to the customer. I look at a couple of things and I'm thinking why won't this pig start? So he turns it over and I can tell it ain't right.

We jerk the valve cover off and check valve opening at overlap. Either my guy didn't degree the cam, or he screwed up. I could see the exhaust valve was off the seat like .050 more than the intake. That means the cam was retarded.

So...now we are losing money. I tell him let's jerk the engine, which I stay and help and put his engine in the trunk of my car. Get it back, on the stand and show the guy what I found. He says bullshit. You can't tell anything by that. I degreed the cam and its spot on.

Take the front off and degree the cam. It's like 11 degrees retarded. So, either he lied and didn't do it, or he did and didn't have a clue as to what he was doing.

The moral of the story is always degree the cam. If you're not sure of your numbers. Throw the head and rockers on number one and check.

Needless to say, I showed his *** the door.