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

The engine was turned clockwise until it read a maximum lift value on our dial indicator. We know we've reached maximum lift just before the dial indicator begins to fall back in the opposite direction. Then we moved the indicator to zero.

We then turned the crankshaft (opposite normal direction) and watched the dial indicator until it read -0.100 inch, then rotated the engine clockwise until the dial indicator read -0.050 inch before maximum lift and recorded where the degree wheel rested. Note that we started at -0.100 inch and headed toward -0.050 inch lift to remove the slack from the timing chain. After recording the reading at the initial -0.050 inch lift, we continued rotating the engine clockwise until the degree wheel traveled past maximum lift to -0.050 inch lift and recorded the second degree-wheel reading. This is on the closing side of maximum lift.

Total these two values then divide by 2 for TDC of the intake lobe in relation to the crank and piston (also the intake centerline). Here our first cam degree wheel reading was 96 degrees and the second was 116 degrees. These two numbers (96 and 116) totaled 212. Divided by 2, it equated to 106 degrees-the intake centerline from our cam card. If the camshaft does not degree to match the cam manufacturer's specs, then degreeing the cam has revealed that the cam's position needs to be adjusted. To do this, either advance or retard the cam to match the recommended intake centerline, then degree the cam again to ensure that its position is accurate.

One way to advance or retard the camshaft is to use an offset bushing (Comp Cams PN CCA-4760, $10, Summit), which fits on the cam pin and in the cam gear. These come five per pack and require enlarging the dowel hole with a 131/432-inch drill bit. The bushing's offset will advance or retard the cam.

A sometimes quicker way to adjust the cam timing is to use a lower crank gear with precut keyways that allow you to advance or retard the cam incrementally. Most high-performance timing gears have this feature.

For still more accurate adjustments, an adjustable timing gear and cog belt are available but will require a special timing cover.