There's a timing for everything

-
Holy Roller

Holy Roller

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2014
Messages
747
Reaction score
159
Location
Nederland Texas
I am working on a 383 that will have good sized cam. My question is. ..when choosing a timing set, what are the benefits of degreeing the cam and installing a timing set with multiple advance /retard settings?
 
There is always a benefit with degreeign any camshaft. Sometimes it's only to verify that it's in the engine as it supposed to be. But many times due to variences in parts production and block machining it is not. So there is either peace of mind, or performance benefit every time.
The timing set comes into play if you degree it and there's an issue. Rather than buying offset woodruff keys, or offset bushings for the dowel and then drilling the timing gear you can just use the extra slots to adjust the cam timing. Personally I pretty much always use the Summit billet roller set with the extra keyways. Sometimes I need the extra slots, sometimes I only need a decent chain and gears. but if you're buying one anyway - buy a decent one that can do everything you might need it to.
 
The benefit is actually knowing where the camshaft is installed in the engine. Without degreeing, there is no way to know if the cam is retarded, straight up or advanced.

There is potentially lots of power to be had if the cam installs retarded from TDC, for example. Most cams are designed to be installed advanced from TDC. As such, if you have a cam that installs retarded with the dots lined up and do not degree it, you're leaving a lot of power on the table.
 
moper said:
There is always a benefit with degreeign any camshaft. Sometimes it's only to verify that it's in the engine as it supposed to be. But many times due to variences in parts production and block machining it is not. So there is either peace of mind, or performance benefit every time.
The timing set comes into play if you degree it and there's an issue. Rather than buying offset woodruff keys, or offset bushings for the dowel and then drilling the timing gear you can just use the extra slots to adjust the cam timing. Personally I pretty much always use the Summit billet roller set with the extra keyways. Sometimes I need the extra slots, sometimes I only need a decent chain and gears. but if you're buying one anyway - buy a decent one that can do everything you might need it to.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much, you have made my decision easier. I have actually considered the Summit billet roller set and the Comp Cams set. Thank you again.
 
moper said:
There is always a benefit with degreeign any camshaft. Sometimes it's only to verify that it's in the engine as it supposed to be. But many times due to variences in parts production and block machining it is not. So there is either peace of mind, or performance benefit every time.
The timing set comes into play if you degree it and there's an issue. Rather than buying offset woodruff keys, or offset bushings for the dowel and then drilling the timing gear you can just use the extra slots to adjust the cam timing. Personally I pretty much always use the Summit billet roller set with the extra keyways. Sometimes I need the extra slots, sometimes I only need a decent chain and gears. but if you're buying one anyway - buy a decent one that can do everything you might need it to.
Click to expand...


I would like to thank everyone for their help. Your input helped me to decide which direction to go. I'm still learning how to do these posts and replys, I just wanted to let everyone know their help is greatly isgreatly appreciated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top