254 Mech Cam- how to degree it?

DavidC

This is a general question for anyone who has installed 21st century goodies but perhaps best answered by Russ or Randy Maas, from whom I bought the cam and the double roller timing chain kit for my 308. I do not have their email.
I have been rebuilding an old 308. I am at the point of degreeing the cam, as the crank gear came with 3 key slots, so 3 choices on install. I installed the crank gear using the most obvious key slot, marked at production time with a dab of white paint. I determined TDC using a dial caliper and marked TDC location on flywheel relative to a stationary bent wire pointer I attached to block. I then used dial caliper to determine opening of 1st intake valve. Valve lash was set cold (of course) per Walt's guidelines. The data for degreeing cam I got from 21st Century Hudson put intake opening at 14 deg BTC. I'm getting 18-19 deg BTC from the millisecond that dial caliper begins to move indicating opening of 1st intake valve. Does this indicate I should use the R4 slot, assuming this means retard 4 deg? Is this discrepancy expected in a cold engine? Yes, I know some will say just use a stock roller kit, but I've come this far. Any advice is appreciated.
Dave C

RL Chilton

You can e-mail Russ or Randy right off of their site:

http://21stcenturyhudson.net/

DavidC

Couldn't get that email to work, and also thought some on the forum might be interested in the answer

[Deleted User]

Best way to degree a cam is the centerline method. First thing you need to do is make a plate to attach to the block with a stop for the piston to determine TDC. You can't degree a cam without taking the lash out-valve should not hit the seat. All of the cams i have reground are 113 degree centerline. Found these work the best for the hudson

DavidC

Thank you all for the help. I have emailed Russ and Randy. Will get back with an answer at some point