Dialing in a cam

[ausfiat]

Hi guys,

I hope that this is an intelligent dumb question but what does "dialing in" mean exactly? Is it timing the engine with a timing light to a predetermined number of degrees of advance at a certain RPM? If so do the settings change much with different cams?

Errol

 

[TonyK]

Dialing in a camshaft.

My camshaft in my car opens the intake valve at 40 degrees before top dead centre on #4 cylinder. So If I take off the cam box cover look at #4 at TDC both lobes will be straight up,one crank revolution will have the intake valve open. Now If I mark the fly wheel or use a degree wheel on the crank shaft and turn the engine backward until I can get a .002 feeler under the intake valve cam lobe and lifter the engine should have rotated backward 40 degrees. If not then the camshaft must be turned by either an adjustable pully or a tooth to dial it in to the engine. Some cams are rated at .050" lift others are not.

TonyK.

Grimsby Ontario Canada

 

[ausfiat]

OK! Understand. Dialing in is to do with valve timing not ignition timing.