Cam install 3 o'clock?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Umeå-Sweden
Cam install 3 o'clock?
Hi guys!
I've run in to a problem in mock-up.
It's a 350 block and rods with a 400 crank.
I've got a pretty normal lift flat tappet cam. (Hyudral)
...my problem is that when I install the cam as instructed in a instructional DVD I bought, the big end of my rods are hitting the cam.
So I'm starting to think the DVD is telling me to install the cam 180 degrees wrong since my haynes book on C3 corvettes seem to differ from the DVD instructions, so my question is, how do I dial in the cam?
With standard installation of a cam(@ 110), and the "w-key" on the crank at about 2 'o'clock, should the "tab" on the cam be at 3 or 9 'o'clock if I line up the marks on the cam-sprocket straight down, and the crank sprocket straight up??
I hope you understand my Swedish English! ...Swenglish!
I've run in to a problem in mock-up.
It's a 350 block and rods with a 400 crank.
I've got a pretty normal lift flat tappet cam. (Hyudral)
...my problem is that when I install the cam as instructed in a instructional DVD I bought, the big end of my rods are hitting the cam.
So I'm starting to think the DVD is telling me to install the cam 180 degrees wrong since my haynes book on C3 corvettes seem to differ from the DVD instructions, so my question is, how do I dial in the cam?
With standard installation of a cam(@ 110), and the "w-key" on the crank at about 2 'o'clock, should the "tab" on the cam be at 3 or 9 'o'clock if I line up the marks on the cam-sprocket straight down, and the crank sprocket straight up??
I hope you understand my Swedish English! ...Swenglish!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
You line up the dots, period, and your done, no other way to do it. You need to grind some of the shoulders of your rods or get a small base circle cam 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Unless you are setting the cam with a degree wheel and intend to change the cam timing, install the cam with the crank sprocket mark at 12:00 (straight up) and the cam sprocket mark at 6:00 (stright down) This is the firing position for cylinder #6, and the usual install position. Depending on your specific cam, the marks usually place the cam about 4* off TDC.
Disregard where the keyways are unless you are using a degree wheel.
If the rod bolts are hitting the cam then you need to rethink your setup. It's possible that you need a small base circle cam or different rod bolts.
Disregard where the keyways are unless you are using a degree wheel.
If the rod bolts are hitting the cam then you need to rethink your setup. It's possible that you need a small base circle cam or different rod bolts.
