neccessary to degree cam

[Bandit72]

ok, i'm gonna be tinkering with my 413 for awhile during spring break and i've heard that it is a really good idea, but not neccessary to degree a new (performance cam) what do you all think, should i do it or not? The engine is stock except for the cam, edelbrock intake, carb, and hooker headers...i installed new lifters with the cam and new mopar performance valve springs...later i plan on doing headwork to it, if i do end up putting it in the charger....


here are the specs on the cam

Comp Cams
                      intake   exhaust
gross valve lift    .507        .510
duration @
.006 tappet lift   284         296

later 

[phat69charger]

If your at that point I would: 

http://www.iskycams.com/degreeing.html
http://www.cranecams.com/?show=article&id=3
http://www.ridgenet.net/~biesiade/camdegree.htm

[694spdRT]

Well, when I installed the cam in my 440 with the dots lined up it was out 4 degrees after I degreed it in. So in my case it was definately worth checking.

[firefighter3931]

Allways degree the cam in. 

Ron

[Chryco Psycho]

I will not install a cam without degreeing it , the chain or cam can be off , even the crank keyway , it is nessisary to check it to be sure it is right

[Headrope]

The car will still run if you choose not to degree the cam. But you'll always be guessing when it comes to tuning because you'll never have established where zero is.
The price of the degree wheel - even if you're only ever going to use it once - is worth it. You'll then know that 15 degrees btdc is truly 15 degrees btdc, etc.

[max]

I will not install a cam without degreeing it , the chain or cam can be off , even the crank keyway , it is nessisary to check it to be sure it is right

i have seen too many times where the chain or marks on the cogs have been off or even the crank key slot has been cut wrong. i had one timming set (Cloyes) that was bringing the cam degree in at 120* and the installed position should have been 108*