[Silver Surfer]

All I can find is instructions on how to degree the cam, but no says why you should. So why do it? Is it to ensure that it is installed exactly 0°?

I am getting a new cam (first time), and thinking I will just align the dots and bolt everything down? Am I asking for trouble?

[OneMoreTime]

We are making sure that the valve events take place exactly when they should as the engine turns over..

Sam

[Silver Surfer]

Originally Posted by OneMoreTime

We are making sure that the valve events take place exactly when they should as the engine turns over..

Sam

What exactly does that mean? Checking for defects in the grind of the cam?

[lt1silverhawk]

Hey Silver Surfer,

This thread may be of some help: "Is it nesary to degree my cam?".

[Silver Surfer]

Originally Posted by lt1silverhawk

Hey Silver Surfer,

This thread may be of some help: "Is it nesary to degree my cam?".

OK...sounds like I need to do this then. Thanks for the info.

Are there places to rent or borrow the equipment? I'd rather put the cash back into the engine, than a degree wheel and accessories.

[lt1silverhawk]

You're welcome. My search on the internet turned up nothing for renting tools for an engine rebuild. But my suggestion is to try Craigslist to see if someone may be renting tools. If not, try putting up an ad with the list of tools you need, the amount of time needed, and what you think is a fair price. Someone may bite.

[techinspector1]

I don't know that there is any better investment than the money spent on tools. Once you have them and learn how to use them, you can apply your magic to other fellow's builds, either for money or for reciprocal favors. That's how you get your money back on tool investments. Plus, if you have the tools and know how to do the work yourself, you're not paying someone else to do it. It just gets better and better with time.

It's like fellows who carp about spending $110 for a cc kit to pour cylinder head chambers. I tell 'em to get the word out to the local enthusiasts and cc a set of heads for $35. Three sets and the tools are paid for.

[Silver Surfer]

Originally Posted by techinspector1

I don't know that there is any better investment than the money spent on tools. Once you have them and learn how to use them, you can apply your magic to other fellow's builds, either for money or for reciprocal favors. That's how you get your money back on tool investments. Plus, if you have the tools and know how to do the work yourself, you're not paying someone else to do it. It just gets better and better with time.

It's like fellows who carp about spending $110 for a cc kit to pour cylinder head chambers. I tell 'em to get the word out to the local enthusiasts and cc a set of heads for $35. Three sets and the tools are paid for.

Dude. Don't get me wrong. There is nothing more I love than buying new awesome tools! But I am no longer single and am a new dad to boot. Right now time and money is at a premium, so if I spend a $100 here and there, that is really going to delay the work on my truck.

[techinspector1]

You have a choice. You can be nearsighted or you can be farsighted.

[lt1silverhawk]

This is getting off topic, but Tech Inspector's got a point. I have invested hundreds if not thousands in tools and recently started making money on them by renting them out (making money from something that is otherwise just sitting there most of the time sounds good to me). In this economy, it seems many people are wanting to do their own automotive work but not everyone wants to invest in tools, especially if its a one-time job. That's where you step in and make some money. Don't get greedy and watch the business line up.

However, at the end you know your situation best and I hope things go well for you no matter what you end up doing.

[ChevyTruckGuy]

I don't agree to a point! If you are doing a basic to mild build then what they are showing you in the shop manual is going to be fine. But if your planing on doing more them it might be something you would want to have to improve the timing. So the big question is how many of this mods are you going to do to gain what in performance!

Craig

[matts37chev]

Originally Posted by ChevyTruckGuy

I don't agree to a point! If you are doing a basic to mild build then what they are showing you in the shop manual is going to be fine. But if your planing on doing more them it might be something you would want to have to improve the timing. So the big question is how many of this mods are you going to do to gain what in performance!

Craig

this is a good point, how big of a cam is it?

i didnt think that a degree wheel was all that much money

[matts37chev]

Originally Posted by matts37chev

this is a good point, how big of a cam is it?

i didnt think that a degree wheel was all that much money

here is a degree wheel for 21 bucks.

[cal1320]

You can get a dial indicator and stand at Harbor freight for less than $30 on sale. As for the degree wheel, you can go ghetto style for no money. Bolt on the flywheel/flexplate and use the starter teeth for the degrees. 360 divided by 153 tooth flywheel = 2.3529 degrees per tooth. Bring to TDC and put the pointer on a tooth. Mark that as TDC. Mark wheel in 4 equal parts. TDC(0), 90 degrees, BDC(180), 270 degrees. No, it's not fast, and you gotta do some math, but it will be very close. And you will understand it all when you're done.

[chevy302builder18]

hi there im new to this stuff also. Dont aftermarket cams come degreed already? Or is this another way to improve performance of a camshaft? If so id like to learn something new