What is a cam degree wheel?

When a camshaft is “degreed” it means the camshaft position in the engine has been synchronized with the crankshaft position. Degreeing the cam is the only real way to determine if the rise and fall of the pistons correctly matches the opening and closing of the valves. To degree the cam, you’ll need a degree wheel.

Should you degree a cam?

Degreeing a cam ensures it performs up to its performance potential. 2. Piston-to-valve interference: Leading camshaft companies such as Comp Cams can now predict piston-to-valve clearance problems in advance. Degreeing a cam will catch these errors, which helps to prevent avoidable parts failures.

How is cam degree calculated?

How is it measured?

1. Using a Dial Indicator and Degree Wheel, find the opening and closing points of the valves at 0.050 in. of lift. If the intake valve opens AFTER TDC, use a negative value. If the exhaust valve closes BEFORE TDC, use a negative value.
2. Add the numbers together.
3. Add 180° to find duration.

Can you degree a cam with the heads on?

Move or bump the degree wheel, and you have to re-establish TDC. We didn’t include the price of a piston stop because for jobs where the heads are off the engine, you can make one out of a steel plate with a couple of holes drilled. For degreeing with the heads on, you can make a piston stop out of an old spark plug.

How do I know if my cam timing is off?

If the engine timing of the cam is off, your car will either be running rough or not at all. If the ignition timing is the problem, it isn’t as easy to notice because it has four cycles: Intake valve sucks in air while fuel is delivered by the injectors. The fuel mixture is reduced.

What is cam rpm range?

Definition & Description. The basic operating rpm range for a camshaft is its “sweet spot.” This range is where the engine will produce the most Torque and Horsepower.

How do you degree a SOHC cam?

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1. get the crank and cam as close to TDC as you can.
2. take off the timing belt.
3. put the crank at cylinder 1 at TDC.
4. then turn the cam watching cylinder 4. as soon as the exhaust closes and just as the intake is about to open.
5. refit the cam belt.
6. adjust 2* ether way on dyno for best power.

What does more cam duration do?

A 280-degree-duration cam holds the valves open longer than a 260-degree-duration cam. Holding the valves open longer allows more air and fuel into the engine and also allows more to get out through the exhaust. Longer duration (higher number) improves top-end power but almost always sacrifices low-end torque.

What is considered a big cam?

A big cam may give a huge peak number, but lack total power from 2500-4500 RPM. It’s important to know where you want to ultimately be. A smaller cam with properly matched supporting mods will out run a huge cam without the proper supporting hardware (gears, torque converter).

How do I check my cam timing?

In order to check cam timing, you will need some specialty tools. You will need a degree wheel, dial indicator with magnetic base and a heavy wire for a timing pointer. Choose a large diameter wheel as they are easier to read and more durable.

Does advancing timing make more power?

The major benefit to advancing the timing of a vehicle’s ignition is increasing the horsepower of an engine. Advancing the ignition timing helps raise the high-end power while reducing the low end. It also helps get the spark past the ignition delay and run at peak power.

What is a degree wheel?

A degree wheel is a handy tool to have when doing high performance engine work. It can be used for ignition timing, crankcase breather timing, cam degreeing and other tasks performed when blueprinting an engine.

What is a cam degree?

In its simplest definition, degreeing the cam is a means of verifying the installed position of the cam relative to the crankshaft; i.e. “advanced, retarded, or straight-up,” and it’s also a way to confirm that the cam was ground correctly.

What is a cam wheel?

Cam wheel. (Mach.) a wheel with one or more projections (cams) or depressions upon its periphery or upon its face; one which is set or shaped eccentrically, so that its revolutions impart a varied, reciprocating, or intermittent motion.