Degreeing a Cam, or not.....
What would you do ? As asked by the original poster Kent from post #1.
Here is a train of thought, you are working with a reliable cam grinder Oregon Cam. They know you are building your own engine.
So they did not say to go 4° advanced or 4° retarded with a multiple keyway crank timing gear. If this was the case had they recommended to do this then definitely Degree the Cam if you are advancing or retarding the cam.
(Small block pictured here but you get the idea, timing straight up dot to dot.)
Pretty much was a straight up dot to dot timing set install with a single keyway crank gear, working with your Oregon Cam guy. Much better chances of it being right with this senario going straight up.
If you want to check it like @RustyRatRod stated using degree tape on the front damper, TDC the piston stop. Then pull the valve cover and see what degrees your intake and exhaust valves are opening. Compare this to the numbers on the cam card. If they match you are good.
Without tearing the front of the engine apart.
If the degree numbers don't come anywhere near what the cam card says then time to pull the timing cover and find out why.
So the OP asked our opinion of the information that we have gathered so far. What would you do ?
Law of averages and knowing how fussy and thorough Kent is I am going to say that the cam timing is correct now as he installed it.
My opinion, others may disagree. Can take it all apart if you so choose.
What would you do ? As asked by the original poster Kent from post #1.
Here is a train of thought, you are working with a reliable cam grinder Oregon Cam. They know you are building your own engine.
So they did not say to go 4° advanced or 4° retarded with a multiple keyway crank timing gear. If this was the case had they recommended to do this then definitely Degree the Cam if you are advancing or retarding the cam.
(Small block pictured here but you get the idea, timing straight up dot to dot.)
Pretty much was a straight up dot to dot timing set install with a single keyway crank gear, working with your Oregon Cam guy. Much better chances of it being right with this senario going straight up.
If you want to check it like @RustyRatRod stated using degree tape on the front damper, TDC the piston stop. Then pull the valve cover and see what degrees your intake and exhaust valves are opening. Compare this to the numbers on the cam card. If they match you are good.
Without tearing the front of the engine apart.
If the degree numbers don't come anywhere near what the cam card says then time to pull the timing cover and find out why.
So the OP asked our opinion of the information that we have gathered so far. What would you do ?
Law of averages and knowing how fussy and thorough Kent is I am going to say that the cam timing is correct now as he installed it.
My opinion, others may disagree. Can take it all apart if you so choose.