I just put the XE256 cam in my 83 LG4 yesterday. Problem #1: the car dosent pull any better than the stock LG4 cam, yet it pulls to like 5100-5200, but the power just isnt there. Problem #2: The car isnt very responsive at all, very slow to rev. Problem #3: From a straight punch from like 1300 rpm, it will BARELY break the tires loose. With the stock cam, it would fry the tires all the way through second gear. Problem #4: it is now getting terrible gas mileage. My timing it at around 10* BTDC. It this just a carb adjustment, or is my timing chain possibly off a tooth? I rotated the motor 3 times when adjusting my rocker arms and the marks were for sure lined up. Did any of you guys encounter this problem with this cam in a 305? I called Comp and they said this cam would be good for my motor...(not too big). Please help me. I dont really understand CC carb cars as far as setting them up. Thanks in advance.

 

sounds like your timming marks may be off on the chain.

 

I don't know the specs on that cam, but I remember when I put a new cam in my 305 in ran terrible before I had the timing down, sort of what you're talking about. Your timing chain can't be off a tooth, or else it wouldn't go on the crank/cam gears correctly. How did you install the cam? retarded? advanced? straight up? I think that may be the problem, assuming you're getting correct timing readings.

 

I installed the timing chain so the dots on the gears lined up...or so I thought.

 

I forgot to add....my distributor is turned really funky after I got the motor together. The end with the harness on the cap is aiming towards the firewall, instead of straigh across like it was before I pulled it apart. This is making me think the chain is off a tooth...correct? I dont know, I cant come up with anything else.

 

Try putting it on TDC for #1 cyl, pull the cap and see if the rotor is pointing to the number one cylinder. Are your wires on right?

Brad...

 

Damn, I pulled the timing cover off and the marks are lined up. It wouldnt matter about the rotor being lined up because the distributor has to be taken out to get the intake off. The timing was at 10*BTDC. Also, with the stock cam, the starter used to drag normally, with the Comp cam, it turns over very fast. But since the timing marks are lined up right, could this be just a matter of having to adjust the carb?? Tell me what to look for as I dont want to put it back together yet if theres something I can look at while it is apart.

 

What intake are you using? That cam is going to need a higher rise intake than the stock one you have.

 

I think your problem is with the distributer, when you pulled it out
it turned the oil pump a little and will not let it go back in the same way.What you need to do is take out the dist and put it
back in a couple of times so it turns the oil pump back to the old position. What you should have done to begine with was to
make a mark on the intake and on to the bottom of the dist.
so you can line it back up..

 

well, everything checks out OK. I checked the dwell and set the carb up with the Tech1 and advanced the timing to 14*. Now, my only other question is....how do all of you adjust your rocker arms? I did it according to my Haynes manual. It says to tighten the nut until zero lash, then an additional 3/4 turn. Now i just read in my paper from Comp Cams that came in the box says only 1/2 turn. When I was setting up the rocker arms, 13 of the 16 lifters were still soft, like there was no oil in them. I let them soak in oil for only a couple hours, and 3 of them were like the old ones..all pupmed up and hard. My theory is, maybe the rocker arms are tightened up too much? Its the only thing left to try. Maybe the lifters were pushed down too much when I put that 3/4 turn on them. Maybe the valves are hanging open a little bit. I do have to say, the exhaust does sound a little funny since its been running again. Oh well...off come the valve covers tomorrow...but i guess that easier than a timing cover. Any way, if anyone has any other ideas, please voice them. Thanks again.