is there a difference when advancing or retarding the cam on the crankshaft or the cam? Some timing sets have the crankshaft sprocket with the differnent degree marks from +/- 0,2,4,6,8* and then you have sprockets with just the +/- 4*

but the Cloyes Hex-adjust only has the +/- 4* on the crank and has +/- 6*
on the cam sprocket

If I wanted to advance or retard my cam can the adjustments be made using the cam sprocket? aligning the gears dot to dot and then advance or retard the cam using the cam sprocket? does it do the same thing or is it differnt?

Im probably not making any sense!!..sorry!...LOL

 

The advance or retard is typically done with the crank sprocket. The keyway you use determines the advance or retard or straight up. The cam sprockets typically have dots that correspond to the crank sprocket advance or retard that you are using.

I'm not familiar with the specifics of the Cloyes, but it almost sounds like you've got a mismatched set. The instructions or their tech help should be able to clear it up.

 

this is what I got.. http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

and the picture is it installed on my motor....what Im asking is if I wanted to advance or retard the cam...can it be done on just the cam gear or does it have to be done on the crank gear? arent they both the same? ..just moving it a different way?

 

You use the adjustment on the cam sprocket for fine tuning the degree of adv/ret and the different keyways on the crank sprocket to set a large ammount of advance or retard.

 

so its the same?...just a different way of doing it? Cause when I turn the adjustment hex while having a dial indicator setup on the lifter...it changes the lift of the cam. I was just thinking that it had to be done on the crank or the relation of the 2 would not be correct or something like that.

 

"Timing" is simply the relationship between the 2 things.

In other words, if you move one "ahead" (advance it), that's the same thing as moving the other "behind" (retard).

The crank gear method is usually used in conjunction with cam gear setups that are fixed; they allow you to "select" (not "adjust") by some typical increment.

The adjustable cam gear method is typically used with a fixed crank gear, or at least, one that's set to 0°. Few things in the world are more confusing than having 2 adjustments that affect the exact same thing.

Cam timing is measured in crank degrees. In other words, it doesn't matter if you hold the cam still and move the crank gear by 4°, or hold the crank and timing set still and move the cam on its gear by an amount such that moving the crank by 4° brings the cam back to the same spot (which would be 2° of cam rotation); it's still 4° at the crank.

2° is a TINY adjustment.

Your timing chain may very well acquire more than 2° of "stretch" within a thousand miles. If you don't know how much your particular brand of chain is going to "stretch" (bushing wear) in your particular application, then there's no way to predict where your cam timing is going to end up over the long term, anyway. No matter how much you futz with it now.

Furthermore, without knowing in advance EXACTLY what effect adjusting the cam timing will have in your particular application, you can't predict what the "best" cam timing is, anyway.

In other words, you're making a "fuzzy" adjustment, trying to hit an even "fuzzier" target. Doesn't matter how sharp your rifle sights are, if you're shooting at something 1" across enveloped somewhere in a fur ball 12" across, through a thick fog, at 500 yards.

IMHO you've descended into "measure with micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with chainsaw" hell. Just put it together where it was designed to go and call it good. Because in all likelihood, that's where it WILL be good.

 

Sofa...

SOmetimes you have a way with words...LOL You answered my question...I thankyou!...