I am preparing myself for a cam swap, at this same time I am going to be changing heads. I have read about degreeing in the cam. So when I pull my stock cam can I just mark on the block exactly where the dowel pin is and then when I put the new cam in just put it in with the dowel pin in the same exact spot. How do I adjust the valves on the new heads with the new cam in? What about the timing chain? I really appreciate all help.
Thanks,
Brady

 

My suggestion is start with a engine manual first. Ask questions based on what you don't understand in the manual.

 

Brady,

What Mike is telling you in a short statement is that the process of degreeing a cam is a lot more involved than that. The process presumes that the dowel position is NOT correct and that the TDC marks on the crankshaft are NOT correct. You find the true TDC with a dial indicator or piston stop, set the degree wheel based on your measurements, then measure the true lobe centerline of the cam lobes. After this, you can adjust the position of the timing set through either offset dowels or broaching new keyways in the gear. The position you select would be based on the desired advance or retard of the cam profile, and does not depend on the factory marks or dowel holes for precise timing. Usually, the factory keyways, dowels, and marks are close, but close isn't usually good enough and you may want the option of timing the cam to your preference rather than that of the cam manufacturer.

Many aftermarket timing sets can be several degrees off the correct points, and the cam manufacture process can allow for some variations in dowel positions as well. Degreeing is almost always advised for a cam swap.

Mike's advice is correct, and you can find more detailed information on cam installation and degreeing at the Comp Cams web site: http://www.compcams.com/catalog/017.html or in their free catalog. I believe Crane Cams also has an overview on their site: http://www.cranecams.com/instruction...ing/degree.htm