Degreeing My New Bullet Cam???

[74Beeper]

Well, I finally got my custom Bullet cam for my 440 R3 Small Block. I degreed it using the intake centerline procedure. I installed the timing chain sprockets with the dots aligned. The cam has a 106° ICL and when I degree it I come up with 107°. I've done it twice and came up with 107° both times. My question is, should I retard the cam 2° or just leave it?

 

[Roughbird72]

From your cam spec card, your camshaft should be installed at 106°(4° advanced). If you're at 107° you are only 3° advanced. Depending on the quality of the timing set you have i would advance it 2°(105° ICL), normal wear will retard it some after a little time. my .02

 

[Cranky]

If you are real industrious, check your cranking compression where the cam is now then retard it and see if the compression increases or goes down. If it goes down, put it back.

 

[74Beeper]

From your cam spec card, your camshaft should be installed at 106°(4° advanced). If you're at 107° you are only 3° advanced. Depending on the quality of the timing set you have i would advance it 2°(105° ICL), normal wear will retard it some after a little time. my .02

Yeah, there is 4° advance built into the cam. I'm running a Cloyes true billet double roller with a tensioner. I'm thinking I'll advance it 2° like you mentioned.

 

[dvw]

It won't know 1 degree. There will be way more movement with a chain then it's worth to move it. Want it accurate? Get a belt drive. This is a street car, correct? I'd send it at 107 with the chain. Advancing it may help down low but it's just going to blow the tires off on the street anyway.
Doug

 

[lewtot184]

It won't know 1 degree. There will be way more movement with a chain then it's worth to move it. Want it accurate? Get a belt drive. This is a street car, correct? I'd send it at 107 with the chain. Advancing it may help down low but it's just going to blow the tires off on the street anyway.
Doug

this!

 

[Homstead]

this!

I agree! One degree wont be noticed.

 

[440roadrunner]

1 Degree won't be noticed, but it will never move "more" it will only move "worse." I agree, IF you can compare compression (I never have, might try that this time) that would be one way. Otherwise if this were me, I'd advance it one more step, which "in a few months" will allow for chain stretch.

 

[74Beeper]

This is a serious street/strip car. 700+ HP @ 7000 (or so) RPM. I am running a chain tensioner and I'm hoping that will compensate for any chain stretch. Guess I'm still undecided if I should advance it 2° or not. Hmmmmmm

 

[malex]

If you are real industrious, check your cranking compression where the cam is now then retard it and see if the compression increases or goes down. If it goes down, put it back.

I recently re-degreed my cam and I recorded my cranking compression throughout. From a 109.5 centreline to a 105.5 picked up 5 lbs cranking compression. With a chain a guy just can't get it exact.

 

[Cranky]

I recently re-degreed my cam and I recorded my cranking compression throughout. From a 109.5 centreline to a 105.5 picked up 5 lbs cranking compression. With a chain a guy just can't get it exact.

Did the change make a difference in the way your car acts? If you had a baseline at the drag strip before the change, you should see some difference somewhere.

 

[malex]

Did the change make a difference in the way your car acts? If you had a baseline at the drag strip before the change, you should see some difference somewhere.

I haven't had it to the track yet. I left it at the 105 centreline and took it out for a run. It does feel better though. I contribute that to the additional compression.

Mine is a pump gas engine with 4.375 stroke and cr is 10.5. With the cam that I have my cranking compression went from 155 to 160, which is low, and the reason I was checking. I'm going to run it once the track opens and go from there. My goal is mid 10's.

 

[dvw]

We can also get into the "where is the most accurate spot" to degree the cam? Int max lift, Int closing, averaging the Int opening and closing points. Most times thees numbers won't match the cam card. Bottom line is the perfect number won't be realized unless it's tested at the track in different positions with all other factors optimized to take advantage of the new installed centerline. Are you willing to do that?
Doug

 

[383man]

We can also get into the "where is the most accurate spot" to degree the cam? Int max lift, Int closing, averaging the Int opening and closing points. Most times thees numbers won't match the cam card. Bottom line is the perfect number won't be realized unless it's tested at the track in different positions with all other factors optimized to take advantage of the new installed centerline. Are you willing to do that?
Doug

I agree when going for the most performance that track testing is the best way to tell where the cam works the best for a certain combo. I know on my 493 in my 63 I wanted to run 92 pump so I did not want the cyl pressure to high since I wanted to run pump but make the most power I could with pump gas. Thats why I got a custom grind from Dwayne Porter. Ron

 

[74Beeper]

I agree when going for the most performance that track testing is the best way to tell where the cam works the best for a certain combo. I know on my 493 in my 63 I wanted to run 92 pump so I did not want the cyl pressure to high since I wanted to run pump but make the most power I could with pump gas. Thats why I got a custom grind from Dwayne Porter. Ron

this is a custom grind from Ryan Johnson. He actually told me to put it in 2° advanced to make up for any chain stretch.

 

[383man]

this is a custom grind from Ryan Johnson. He actually told me to put it in 2° advanced to make up for any chain stretch.

Bullet has a good reputation so I would listen to his advise but I do agree you will not notice a difference in 1 degree if you go with it at 107. I have done that a few times that when I am only 1 degree off I go with it. Good luck , Ron

 

[74Beeper]

Hey guys..... Well I got my motor all built and stuffed in..... Here is a lil video of my first start. Can't believe how fast is fired up. Just a lil timing and a turn on the curb idle screw and she ran great. (Had to go look for a screw driver) Quick Fuel carbs are great right out of the box. I installed an Innovate A/F gauge and so far it was set up perfect.

[video=youtube_share;I0n4PwvQkwI]http://youtu.be/I0n4PwvQkwI[/video]

 

[Auggie56]

And that's great feeling, isn't it... :hello2:

 

[383man]

Very nice ! Ron

 

[74Beeper]

Thanks guys..... It is a great feeling..... I'm just waiting on my QA1 carbon fiber drive shaft and then straight to the chassis dyno.