Cam Degree equipment / tools

stroker87

Active Member
GrumpyVette

I've bin reading alot about cam degreeing since i'll be attempting this in the next week or so, I'm pretty sure I can handle the process but wanted to know about the tools used

I've read and also watch a video about degreeing a cam but have not found out is it better to use the tools where you slide the dial indicator in the lifter bore with out the heads "or" with the heads on and the dial indacator on the spring retainer???

is there a difference?
is one way more accurate "or" easier then the other?

tons of info here helped me out alot on "how to" just a puzzled on the "witch way" to do it, I do not have the tools to do this and will be buyng them so whats the best way to do this so I buy the right tools?
 
read thru these FOUR threads and links BELOW SEVERAL TIMES



http://www.jegs.com/InstallationInstruc ... 119661.pdf

read THESE links
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/timing-chains-stretch.5734/#post-17492

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...hanics-of-adv-ret-a-camshaft.4532/#post-67562

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...et-it-to-last-cam-install-info.90/#post-57942

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...nter-1-for-timing-ignition-cam.966/#post-1682

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-train-clearances-and-problems.528/#post-668

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...king-piston-to-valve-clearances.399/#post-488

http://www.competitionproducts.com/Camshaft-Degreeing-and-Cam-Measuring-Tools/products/1387/
OK lets go thru the basics ,
you need an accurate degree wheel,

this adapter comes in really handy to mount the degree wheel and spin the crank,
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-4793

a long bendable stiff wire, like tig welding rod or a heavy gauge coat hanger, to use as a pointer for the degree wheel.
and a piston stop to locate TDC,
a couple lifters, you can epoxy together to use for the dial indicator to read off or ideally this tool
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku
naturally the dial indicator and a decent magnetic stand will help
youll need a easy way to turn the crank, and the instructions on how to do the process correctly
I generally prefer to start with cams installed STRAIT UP, SPLIT OVERLAP

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku


summitracing sells these kits for about $86

degreew1.jpg

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pow-pow101600
degreew2.jpg


checklifter3.jpg

if you plan on graphing the lift vs cam lobe rotation per degree of rotation, you can safely ignore, totally the lifter seat being held up on a running engine, when your using a lifter and push rod too move, and verify a dial indicator reading, (keep in mind the cam rotates at 1/2 the crank rotation speed.)
when checking the cam lobe lift and duration.as the cam rotates it compresses the lifter seat as the lobe acceleration ramp, or start of the lifter movement upwards in its lifter bore occurs.
this is how the oil is forced up the push rod to cool the rocker and valve springs and at low rotational rpm's the push-rod lifter seat bottoms out in the lifter well before max lift on the push-rod even gets close,
thus theres a minor delay in the lifter movement as the engine oil is forced up the push rod as the cam lobe rotates under the lifter base but this has very little effect on duration and almost zero on total lift.
these threads and the sub linked info should help

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=90

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=181

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=974&p=1699&hilit=+degree+wheel#p1699
sum-g1056_w.jpg

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g1056
lun-80001_w.jpg


youll need one bushing kit to make corrections

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-4760

YOULL WANT THESE TOOLS LISTED BELOW ALSO[/color]
Ive used mine only a few dozen times but its well worth the money (I previously used two solid lifters I epoxied together on hydraulic or solid lifter flat tappet cams OR a pair of solid roller lifters Id brazed dimes into to measure from on roller cams)
the first time you degree in a cam, you wonder how difficult this COMPLEX PROCEDURE will be, but after doing it MANY DOZENS of TIMES it amazes you that you worried about it the first few times.
555-81625.jpg

MOR-62190.jpg

image_1450.jpg

CCA-4926.jpg

degreewheeladapter.jpg

ctrp_1012_01+race_engine_rebuilding_tips+.jpg

cam_checker1.jpg

camposition.jpg



http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-4925
cca-4925.jpg


http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-900134
sum-900134_w.jpg



http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... =PRO-66830
pro-66830_cp.jpg


http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... =MOR-61755
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-61755/
mor-61755_w.jpg

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-62191/
mor-62191.jpg


THE LONGER I USE THE MOROSO DEGREE WHEEL AND BBC CRANK SOCKET THE MORE IVE COME TO APPRECIATE THEM,, BTW the COMP CAMS SBC VERSION IS BELOW
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-4 ... refilter=1
cca-4793_cp.jpg

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku
 
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Grumpy I have a pretty good feel for doing it bin reading and watch a video about doing it

But I seen them do it with a dial indicator "in" the lifter bore and another way with the dial indicator on the spring retainer

out of the 2 way of doing it is one better then the other??

Proform Cam Checker Tools
degreetool.jpg
 
stroker87 said:
Grumpy I have a pretty good feel for doing it bin reading and watch a video about doing it

But I seen them do it with a dial indicator "in" the lifter bore and another way with the dial indicator on the spring retainer

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=974&p=1699&hilit=printable+degree#p1699
retainerplate.jpg

vincam.png


stepnoser1.jpg

out of the 2 way of doing it is one better then the other??

Proform Cam Checker Tools
pro-66838_w.jpg

pro-67491_w_ml.jpg

SBC crank socket
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-67491
BBC crank socket
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-67492
chrysler/dodge/mopar
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-67493
Pontiac crank socket
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-67606


you do it off the lifter not the valve spring simply because adding the pushrod and rocker into the process adds far to many variables, like taking up slack, rocker ratios, friction,possiable ratio variations,manufacturing tollerances, etc. that use of the lifter riding directly on the cam lobe alone or that tool replacing the lifter so the dial indicator can be used easier (THE PREFERED, TOOL) totally eliminates, any variables, and allows faster rechecking
DEAL WITH A QUALITY MACHINE SHOP with a GREAT REPUTATION that depends on maintaining good customer feed back for repeat work.
a competent and experienced machine shop, machinist, you can trust to point out whats REQUIRED and what is SUGGESTED is a very valuable asset , you really should look for and researching what you think needs to be done, how that is accomplished and why its likely necessary in any particular application, goes a long way toward preventing both disagreements and wasted money on an engine build AS does having access too or better yet owning some precision measuring tools that allow you to check and verify that any machine work you pay for was in fact correctly done!

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRO-66830/?rtype=10
pro-66830_cp.jpg

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ectly-and-get-it-to-last-cam-install-info.90/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ifter-for-checking-cam-timing.3745/#post-9950

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/degreeing-in-a-cam-correctly.3097/#post-8240

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/cam-degree-equipment-tools.1759/#post-4440

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/precision-measuring-tools.1390/#post-12997



cambreakin.jpg

62191_ATA.jpg

scan10001B.gif

SUM-G1056_xl.jpg

cambutclear.jpg

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/how-to-pick-timing-gear-set.4548/#post-43700

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/timing-chains.2209/#post-32459

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/timing-chains-stretch.5734/#post-17492

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/cam-spacer-buttons.1793/#post-4553

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ear-articles-you-need-to-read.282/#post-57371


SPRAYING ALL VALVE TRAIN COMPONENTS DURING ASSEMBLY WITH MOLY REDUCES FRICTION
molysp3.JPG

molysp2.JPG

molysp1.JPG

pre-spraying all bearing and valve train components with a moly based spray, helps embed micro moly lubricants in the metallic surface micro fissures , a good paste lube like cranes assembly lube over the spray surface helps insure a good lubricant surface coating, that is far stronger than just the ZINC and PHOSPHATES in oil
crn-99004.jpg

https://www.crower.com/clearance.html?cat=1541

you might want to buy a few of these while they are on sale at a reduced price

heres a bit of useful related push rod length info (POSTED HERE) youll want to select the correct set or SETS for your shop

Big Block Chevy, Standard Length Big Block Intake 3/8" / .080" 8.275"
295-7941-8 Big Block Chevy, Standard Length Big Block Exhaust 3/8" / .080" 9.250"
295-7969-8 Big Block Chevy, Standard Big Block +.100" Long Intake 3/8" / .080" 8.375"
295-7979-8 Big Block Chevy, Standard Big Block +.100" Long Exhaust 3/8" / .080" 9.350"
295-7951-8 Big Block Chevy, Standard Length Big Block Tall Deck Intake 3/8" / .080" 8.675"
295-7961-8 Big Block Chevy, Standard Length Big Block Tall Deck Exhaust 3/8" / .080" 9.650"
295-7800 V8 396-454 Retro Fit Pushrod Set, Intake & Exhaust, 1965-Present
3/8" / .080"
3/8" / .080" 7.725 Int.
8.675 Exh
295-7913-16 Small Block Chevy, Standard Length Small Block Chevy 3/8" / .080" 7.800"
295-7984-16 Small Block Chevy, +.100" Long 3/8" / .080" 7.900"
295-7934-16 Big Block Ford, Standard Length Ford `72-'78 429-460 3/8" / .080" 8.550"
295-7951-16 Big Block Ford, Standard Length Ford `69-'71 429-460 3/8" / .080" 8.675"
295-7582-16 Oldsmobile, Std Length 455 5/16" 9.550"




 
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I thought that might be the way to go grumpy straight off the cam but wasnt sure, I'm going to order that one tomorrow with a degree wheel

I also sent you a pm about the head gaskets
 
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