Degreeing ? for the "old school" guys
Degreeing ? for the "old school" guys Hi, i was talking to a buddy last night and got to bs'ing about my upcoming cam swap. i want to degree the cam, but dont really know if i want to spend $150 or so on an adjustable timing set. Especially if i don't need to use it if the cam is where it's supposed to be. Well he has these cam degree bushings that are made for the 1st gen small blocks to degree them in. From what i understand, if the cam doesn't line up, i drill out the bolt holes on the cam gear some, and also the hole for the "pin?"(pin at the end of cam, to align it into the sprocket). i guess the inserts go over the pin, then move the insert desired way and slide the sprocket back on. Now it should be retarded/advanced some. Does this method work for the ls1?? Let me know if i need to explain more haha. Thanks.
Last edited by '91firebirdformula; Mar 31, 2009 at 08:47 PM.
There is a gear set already made like that for the LS1. Not sure how accurate you are going to be drilling the holes out yourself. Just degree it with the gear and chain you have, maybe you want need to buy another set after all.
You should always degree a cam in. You do this to make sure it is right were it is supposed to be. It is done for two different reasons, first to make sure it is right, and the other is to move it one way or the other to shift the power band up or down the RPM range. You might install the cam and degree it in to spec and drive it to find out you do not like the power down low or up top so you can go in and degree the cam some to move the power band to match your taste or needs.
You can use the old SBC cam bushings. They were used more frequently when the LS1 first came out and many of the current aftermarket parts were not available. It would be easier to simply buy an adjustable set. The other option is to verify you need to change the cam timing by first checking it after installation. You only need to adjust it if it is off to start with or you are wanting to change the ICL over that set when straight up.
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Cam Doctor is for checking the lobes of a cam grind...does not tell you anything about where the cam is degreed w/ repect to the crankshaft in a given engine assembly.
You still need the old wheel, pointer, dial indicator stuff to degree it in an engine. Stuff it seems most don't know how to use anymore LOL.
To answer the original question....if you're buddy is giving you the offset bushings, heck yeah use them. Free is better than a $100+ timing set. I think you start with just drilling the hole the pins goes into...the other 3 holes already have some play in them. I wouldn't drill those unless you absolutely need more room to adjust.
You still need the old wheel, pointer, dial indicator stuff to degree it in an engine. Stuff it seems most don't know how to use anymore LOL.
To answer the original question....if you're buddy is giving you the offset bushings, heck yeah use them. Free is better than a $100+ timing set. I think you start with just drilling the hole the pins goes into...the other 3 holes already have some play in them. I wouldn't drill those unless you absolutely need more room to adjust.
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Verdad Gallardo ok, great. sounds like i will try this then. i wasn't too sure if it would work, looking at a picture of the pin hole, it looked close to the middle and maybe would drill into the opening. i think i'll give this a go then. Do any of you have experience using this method on an ls1?? Thanks
i was deg in my LS cam, the crank sproket had diff settings, but was not right on the mark, so i broke out the old bushings i have been using for 40+ years, lol-i always liked them because you could set things up where they should be, then rotate the cam where it needs to be, install the bushings-
or use the hex adjust cam sproket and gears, lol
or use the hex adjust cam sproket and gears, lol
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: cincinnati, ohio
Well here is the clarification. Those mean the pickup style from the cam sensor. Either LS2 style (on the front cover) or LS1 style. So it would depend on If you are running the LS1 front cover or the LS2. Those are the only differences. Our website also does not list the double roller for the LS1 which is the SD7145. See the connection yet? Anyway, just let me know which one you want, because i have all of them on hand.
I just degreed my cam last night using those bushings. My cam came installed 2 degrees retarded so I had to use the bushings and advance it two degrees. My adjustable timing set came with new gears and an LS2 chain for $82 shipped. You cannot beat that, this guy Yank is selling them and he ships them out asap, great guy.
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