degreeing a cam / tool to do so
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
degreeing a cam / tool to do so
This winter's project on my 1971 LT-1 is to install the proper solid lift cam back into the motor.
The motor was rebuilt in 1985 or about 20K miles ago.
And the owner who I have spoke with at that time was talked into a hyd cam. The motor runs great , but I want the correct cam
I have purchased a blue printed cam frpm Crane that is the factory grind for the 1970 thru 1972 LT-1 motor.
My question is , Is the degreeing of teh cam critical on a street driver car that is not raced?
The tool kit is about 250.00 , that seems quite a lot for 1 job then I will possible never use it again
Not sure if a local motor builder would just degree a cam if theya re not doing the entire job.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
David
The motor was rebuilt in 1985 or about 20K miles ago.
And the owner who I have spoke with at that time was talked into a hyd cam. The motor runs great , but I want the correct cam
I have purchased a blue printed cam frpm Crane that is the factory grind for the 1970 thru 1972 LT-1 motor.
My question is , Is the degreeing of teh cam critical on a street driver car that is not raced?
The tool kit is about 250.00 , that seems quite a lot for 1 job then I will possible never use it again
Not sure if a local motor builder would just degree a cam if theya re not doing the entire job.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
David
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Probably not needed on a street motor but I have done it to all my motors anyway. I just want to make sure everything is setup correctly. I only had to buy a degree wheel and mine is not the high dollar one. I had all the rest of the tools. See if maybe you can borrow some of the tools if you plan on not using them again. Just remember they are precision tools so treat them that way and if they are someone elses I always return them in as good or better condition then when I borrowed them. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,510
From: Little Rock AR
I have a LARGE degree wheel, a cheap dial indicator and a magnetic base. The bigger the wheel, the better the accuracy. You can download a paper wheel and attach it to cardboard if money is realy tight. You CAN do this for a song if you shop it hard. The dial indicator I have came from harbour freight so I don't expect much but it does deliver good results. Very inexpensive. 
One very important thing about that LT-1 cam - do not try to use the "lobe centerline" method to degree this particular cam. It has an asymetrical lobe design so the lobe peak lift point IS NOT at the center of the lobe. If you try to use the lobe centerline method, you will look like you are a few degrees off-time. Use the cam card lift checking figures (at .050" or what ever they have on the card) and you will be fine.
-Mark.
One very important thing about that LT-1 cam - do not try to use the "lobe centerline" method to degree this particular cam. It has an asymetrical lobe design so the lobe peak lift point IS NOT at the center of the lobe. If you try to use the lobe centerline method, you will look like you are a few degrees off-time. Use the cam card lift checking figures (at .050" or what ever they have on the card) and you will be fine.
-Mark.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
Thanks to all of you , the advice is very helpful.
STINGR69 , you advice on .050 lift method is dead on and matches up with Cranes advice as well
I will gather up these tools and dregree the cam.
David
STINGR69 , you advice on .050 lift method is dead on and matches up with Cranes advice as well
I will gather up these tools and dregree the cam.
David
