Cam and crank timing

[Belgium R/T -68]

I'm getting ready to build my 440 and it's time to learn about the process of setting the camtiming. I read a lot about how to do it but Why
is it so necessary? If I only put the zero marks against eachother, what then? I bought a K-56 Engle and a yellow card with the specs are attached
but I guess I would need to read a book on this procedure. Anyone knows a good "bible" in the subject. Am really eager to learn and do this right. 

[mally69]

Cam timing is VERY important. If you do it wrong you could end up with a totally junk engine that had valves smacking all the pistons.   It actually is very simple though. Just make sure that your piston #1 is top dead center then slide in your cam and and make sure the timing marks line up by turning the cam and gear to match the crank gear timing mark.

[firefighter3931]

I prefer to degree all cams. Sometimes the timing marks will be incorrectly stamped and this will throw cam timing off which will affect performance. I've seen some off by as much as 9* retarded and that just killed all the bottom end power on that particular build.

Comp Cams & Crane cams both have detailed cam degreeing tutorials on their websites.



Ron

[Belgium R/T -68]

Thanks Ron, if the cam would need another setting then the zero marks, would that be indicated on the card? Have seen on the sprockets you can choose
from -4 to +4?

[Nacho-RT74]

I was watching on TV last night TWO GUYS GARAGE program or something like that on Cable at the hotel I was ( I don't have FX Channel, I think was there ), and saw the degree cam process on a Chevy 350 Roller. I honestly can say DIDN'T CATCH ANYTHING of what they made. I mean I saw the procedure and understood how they made every step but didn't understand WHY everystep.