How To Degree A Camshaft - 'Stick It - CHP Step By Step

We used a Comp Cams 16-inch Professional degree wheel (PN CCA-4791-1, $194, Summit). For a pointer over the edge of the degree wheel (arrow) we cut a small piece of hanger wire and secured it with a bolt.

With the camshaft and timing set installed properly, we vertically aligned the two timing marks on both the cam gear and the crank gear (arrows).

Although the cam can be degreed without the timing card, it's handy to have as a reference. This Comp Cams card (used as an example only) recommended that we installed the cam on a 106-degree intake centerline.

Before we installed the piston stop, we turned the crankshaft to get the No. 1 piston in close to the TDC position with both valves closed. Then we moved the pointer to zero, or TDC, on the degree wheel and used a long breaker bar to turn the crank. Don't use the starter to turn the engine while degreeing the cam, because the force may damage the piston if the piston-stop tool hits it.

We rotated the crankshaft opposite the engine rotation (counterclockwise) approximately 15 degrees. This dropped the piston's position just enough to allow the piston stop to be installed in the spark-plug hole.

The piston stop was installed until it contacted the piston. The piston stop we used was from Powerhouse (PN POW101330, $10). We resumed turning the engine counterclockwise until the piston traveled back up and contacted the piston stop. At this point we marked the pointed-to number on the degree wheel. Next we turned the engine clockwise until the piston came back up and touched the piston stop and marked the number the pointer stopped on.

With the two points marked on the degree wheel, we removed the piston stop and rotated the crankshaft halfway between the two marks. This is TDC for the No. 1 cylinder. Next, without moving the crankshaft, we carefully loosened and moved the degree wheel to read zero at the pointer, then retightened the degree wheel. At this point we were ready to locate the intake-lobe centerline relative to TDC.

We mounted a dial indicator (CCA-4909, $36, Summit) on a magnetic stand so that it measured the direct parallel upward movement at the tip of the No. 1 intake pushrod. Before doing this we installed a solid lifter on this cam lobe. The dial indicator must be mounted very securely. Powerhouse also offers a dial indicator stand that screws into any 11/44-20 valve-cover bolt hole and allows you to measure cam lift at the rocker, pushrod, or lifter (POW101540, $66).

A second way to monitor valve lift is with this tool (PN POW101400, $65, Powerhouse). With this installed down into the No. 1 intake lifter bore, it rides on top of the camshaft in order to measure lobe lift and base circle runout. It comes with two followers, one for flat-tappet or hydraulic cams and one for roller cams. A dial indicator is not included with this tool.