cam degreeing help

[RockyJ]

Terry i have heard of the stock type balancer ,where the outer ring is slipping
inrelation to the inner ring, so no matter what you do , when the engine is turned over
the TDC mark can slip or move a few degrees. Never saw it personally but have
heard of it.

[FED 387]

Stop and think about what you have done so far----try a new lifter, possibly a different balancer ,also use a different dial indicator see what happens---- I know that this next idea will not give you a correct number but pick a different cylinder to try degreeing see if the same error occurs, if it does not ,then something is wrong with the valve train on number 1 cylinder otherwise you might have a bad dial indicator or degree wheel or pointer, timing chain set up or whatever---at least you might eliminate/ isolate some of the possible variables---- Comp 387

[Shawn Blair]

Have you tried a different timing set? Leave degree wheel where its at and try #6 cylinder and see what you get! I don't know about you but this would drive me crazy good luck.........Shawn

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Terry,at what reading from max lobe lift are you taking your readings? I have never heard of moving gear 1 entire tooth and not seeing a different reading,perhaps your not coming far enough back from the "nose" of the lobe to get a real number, just a thought. Joe

[Jim B]

Terry, I've seen guys "degree" cams incorrectly by using the degree wheel and math incorrectly that winds up measuring the lobe center of the camshaft rather than the relative position of the cam lobe to the crankshaft. No matter how advanced or retarded the cam is installed the cam lobe center does not change. When you degree the cam in degree BOTH intake and exhaust and mark the degree wheel with whiteout and you'll easily see the BTDC and the ATDC positions and I'll think you'll see what I mean. Good Luck...

[Dragsinger]

for what it is worth, I find it much easier to check intake centerline off a valve spring retainer. Since nothing so far has worked, consider mocking up a head with a checking spring on #1 intake valve. Install the pushrod, intake rocker, set approximate lash, and indicate off the retainer.

Let us know what happens.

[njk53]

Because you are using the lip of the lifter, make absolutely sure the dial indicator is not walking around the radius of the lifter. Look very closely. I would try taking the point off of the dial indicator and try using the flat. This will give you more surface area for the lifter to ride on.

[Terry Waldron]

Timing chain setup is new, tried different lifters,got a new and bigger degree wheel, will try the different dial ind.changes and the degree wheel, see what happens , will let you know.

[STK1217]

Terry Jim B has something there. If you don't find it PM. me i can help.

[Phillip marvetz]

I had a problem with a timing chain on a friend's 360 last summer.We kept getting a reading of 130 for a centerline, tried another chain and got 106.