Camshaft degree ???

[BIG*RED]

I recently picked up a Proform gear dive that I was thinking of installing tomorrow. I read through the instructions and it has bushings for camshaft degree options...0, 2, 3, and 5 degrees.

How do I know wich one to use?
and has anyone else installed this part? if so, any tips or sugestions?

 

[boz42]

u would need a cam degree wheel & a dail indicator. u find true top dead center & use that to degree the cam to true zero. if u advance it using the bushings it gives u more top end. if u retard it , u will get more bottom end.

 

[BIG*RED]

Umm, so I can't simply rotate the motor to tdc, pull off the old timming chain set up, and put the gear drive on with a 0 degree bushing and go?

 

[boz42]

yes u can just bolt it on at zero & go. most of the time only high end, or blue printed engines have the cam degreed anyhow.

 

[4X4HIGH]

u would need a cam degree wheel & a dail indicator. u find true top dead center & use that to degree the cam to true zero. if u advance it using the bushings it gives u more top end. if u retard it , u will get more bottom end.

Advancing the cam gives you more bottom end power at the sacrifice of top end power and retarding it gives you more top end power with the sacrafice of bottom end power. Basically, advance the cam if you want low end torque or retard the cam if you want more top end HP.

 

[sled_dog]

Advancing the cam gives you more bottom end power at the sacrifice of top end power and retarding it gives you more top end power with the sacrafice of bottom end power. Basically, advance the cam if you want low end torque or retard the cam if you want more top end HP.

X2, retarding adds top end. Makes the valve action occur later, which is better for top end.

However, many companies like Comp Cams, build advance into their cams. So if you have an aftermarket cam, unless you are really looking for every pony out of a build(say drag car), installing it "straight up"(0*) is best bet for most.

I have a degree wheel. Collects a lot of dust. I know how to use it, just never do. Installed the cam in my 383 straight up. No reason to do anything else. Though maybe I should consider advance it since it needs to come back out... hmmm. It is a little wild for the application.

 

[boz42]

my bad guys, i said it backwards, thanks for straightening that out.

 

[walla2k5]

I used the Proform geardrive also in my sb. Just used the 0* bushing, the CompCam I installed was already 4* advanced, IIRC...

 

[sled_dog]

I used the Proform geardrive also in my sb. Just used the 0* bushing, the CompCam I installed was already 4* advanced, IIRC...

Most Comp Cams are 4* advanced in their design