mathia

iTrader: (2)

I'm in the middle of a heads & cam install and I still need to measure my push rod length and then degree the cam. Once I get the push rods measured, it's going to be a few days before the new one arrive and I'm wondering if I can degree the cam using either the stock push rods (which may be the wrong length) or my push rod length checker.

I haven't looked over the instructions on how to degree the cam in awhile so I'm not sure how that goes down. I do have a pair of checker springs on the heads right now.

schnellttz06

Uh....u dont use push rods for that. Your dial gauge will contact the lifter directly.

mathia

iTrader: (2)

Thanks! I couldn't remember if that was how it was done. I was about to put my new Cloyes hex-a-just cam gears on and then read how to degree the cam, but then I got worrying that I wouldn't be able to degree it without the push rods.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

Pretty simple really. A decent dial indicator should have extensions for the point. The one I used did, but it was quite expensive. Which I wouldn't expect everyone to have access to, so a pushrod would need to be used. But it can be done.

RezinTexas

here is how I did it with cheap tools from Jegs. Any pushrod will work. If your heads are already on, then obviously it will be different from these pics.

find TDC for cylinder #1 first.



then you can plot the cam lobes.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I did it with an extension on the dial indicator.

ckpitt55

iTrader: (4)

i used one of the short head studs



you can use whatever you want op so long as it gives you stable / repeatable measurements.

ponyhater27

iTrader: (11)

Take an old lifter and weld a bolt on the end. Then you can put your dial indicator on the end of the bolt when the lifter is in the bore. Simple and easy!

schnellttz06

Well I got the pictures to prove it, I will post them up later. Dont be ghetto and use a push rod, use the correct tool for the job, you need the dial indicator extension that comes with most cam degree kits. Do your homework first and dont put out bad info.

usdmholden

If the heads are still on the motor, you can use a piston stop to find TDC. You just need to install the piston stop, rotate the crank until the piston hits the piston stop, and set the zero on the timing wheel. From there, rotate the engine backwards until you hit the stop a second time, and take a reading from the degree wheel. TDC is half whatever the degree wheel reading is.

Remove piston stop and rotate engine to the calculated TDC value. Reset zero on the degree wheel pointer.

You can make a piston stop out of an old spark plug and bolt. Pictures here:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...l#post17541521

RezinTexas

I actually think using a pushrod on the lifter has some advantages.

When measuring the closing side of the lobe, the lifter can get hung up in the lifter bore because the force from the dial indicator pushing it back down is so small. With a pushrod, you have plenty of space to grab the pushrod and push the lifter back down to resume contact with the cam lobe.

Also, the oem pushrods have a perfect cup at the top for holding the dial indicator probe. The other end of the pushrod is a natural fit with the lifter obviously.

Its like anything else, there are plenty of ways to get it done right. Very interested to see your pictures that you mentioned.

schnellttz06

Yup, try to put them up later. True, many ways to do something, but doesn't make it optimal. I personally do not like to add variables that can skew results.