Cam degree help for 305 chevy

new az stocker · 07-02-2011, 05:27 PM

I'm new and need help degreeing the cam in a 305 chevy stocker the lobe separation is 106. I was told to degree it at 99 (not by the cam grinder but a fellow bracket racer) that seems like to much advance to me but like i said im new and don't know. Any help where to degree it would be greatly appreciated. Its in an 85 camaro with a q-jet carburetor. Its the 190 hp that will run in i/sa.

BillK · 07-02-2011, 08:11 PM

az,

If the cam grinder told you that would be the best place to run it, then that is what I would do. I have put one in that far advanced before on a dirt track engine. I dont claim to be anything close to a camshaft expert, but one thing I will do is listen to the cam company. If they tell me to put it in at 99, thats at least where I am going to start. I would absolutely call them and make sure there was no mistake made on the cam card. And, unless someone here is running the exact same combination, any suggestions are only speculation.

Just my opinion,

Tom Turner · 07-02-2011, 08:46 PM

My 305 stuff (dished and flat top) would never allow me to run the cam that far ahead but if yours will fit there......run it; you can always back it up if it doesn't like it. If you are really new at this, remember that the piston-valve clearance on these engines can be basically zero with a checking spring (intake side only). TT

trmnatr · 07-03-2011, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new az stocker

I'm new and need help degreeing the cam in a 305 chevy stocker the lobe separation is 106. I was told to degree it at 99 (not by the cam grinder but a fellow bracket racer) that seems like to much advance to me but like i said im new and don't know. Any help where to degree it would be greatly appreciated. Its in an 85 camaro with a q-jet carburetor.

Like Bill said, If the person who spec'd the cam for you said to put it in there, then do it. If your going by suggestion, its just that. Now if you were to list the car's combo and engine combo, you may get some opinions on where to put it

If the guy who spec'd it had it ground with 4° advance, and you want to put it in 6° advanced based on a suggestion you will most likely not be able to tell the difference on a bracket engine. On a class engine, you may be able to tell the difference between 4° and 6° advanced by ET's and on the Dyno

Dave Casey · 07-03-2011, 07:37 AM

Generally speaking if it is a stick car, run it straight up to start, I have never run more than 2 degrees advanced in every 305 stocker engine of mine. (all sticks) If it is an automatic, the tendency is to run it advanced some, but the piston to valve may determine how far forward you can push it. It is trial and error on what will run best, and it may run best straight up even with an automatic. there are alot of contributing factors, and very few cam co's know for sure what will be the best for your setup

Mark Yacavone · 07-03-2011, 07:15 PM

I'd probably split the difference and install it @ about 103, but ,as mentioned, check your clearances. You'll know if you can advance it some more,...after evaluating your 60', MPH, and traction situation with the car itself.
Where are you located?

okieracer · 07-03-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new az stocker

I'm new and need help degreeing the cam in a 305 chevy stocker the lobe separation is 106. I was told to degree it at 99 (not by the cam grinder but a fellow bracket racer) that seems like to much advance to me but like i said im new and don't know. Any help where to degree it would be greatly appreciated. Its in an 85 camaro with a q-jet carburetor. Its the 190 hp that will run in i/sa.

Are you talking lobe separation versus intake centerline? Degree per cam grinders instructions.

gmonde · 07-03-2011, 09:13 PM

no matter where you put the cam just make sure you check piston to valve clearance ,you can all ways change it back if you dont feel it's up to par ,,,,,gmonde

new az stocker · 07-04-2011, 01:15 AM

I would like to thank you for the help. I am going to start at 103 as Dave Casey and Mark Yacavone suggested........again thank you

07-02-2011, 05:27 PM	#1
new az stocker Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 20 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cam degree help for 305 chevy I'm new and need help degreeing the cam in a 305 chevy stocker the lobe separation is 106. I was told to degree it at 99 (not by the cam grinder but a fellow bracket racer) that seems like to much advance to me but like i said im new and don't know. Any help where to degree it would be greatly appreciated. Its in an 85 camaro with a q-jet carburetor. Its the 190 hp that will run in i/sa. Last edited by new az stocker; 07-03-2011 at 12:27 PM.

07-02-2011, 08:11 PM	#2
BillK Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Waldorf Md Posts: 230 Likes: 12 Liked 30 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Cam degree help for 305 chevy az, If the cam grinder told you that would be the best place to run it, then that is what I would do. I have put one in that far advanced before on a dirt track engine. I dont claim to be anything close to a camshaft expert, but one thing I will do is listen to the cam company. If they tell me to put it in at 99, thats at least where I am going to start. I would absolutely call them and make sure there was no mistake made on the cam card. And, unless someone here is running the exact same combination, any suggestions are only speculation. Just my opinion, __________________ Bill Koustenis

07-02-2011, 08:46 PM	#3
Tom Turner Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lake Tapps, Washington Posts: 137 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cam degree help for 305 chevy My 305 stuff (dished and flat top) would never allow me to run the cam that far ahead but if yours will fit there......run it; you can always back it up if it doesn't like it. If you are really new at this, remember that the piston-valve clearance on these engines can be basically zero with a checking spring (intake side only). TT

07-03-2011, 07:37 AM	#5
Dave Casey VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hampden, MA Posts: 1,198 Likes: 233 Liked 769 Times in 162 Posts	Re: Cam degree help for 305 chevy Generally speaking if it is a stick car, run it straight up to start, I have never run more than 2 degrees advanced in every 305 stocker engine of mine. (all sticks) If it is an automatic, the tendency is to run it advanced some, but the piston to valve may determine how far forward you can push it. It is trial and error on what will run best, and it may run best straight up even with an automatic. there are alot of contributing factors, and very few cam co's know for sure what will be the best for your setup __________________ Dave Casey 1330 STK

07-03-2011, 07:15 PM	#6
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,790 Likes: 2,882 Liked 5,080 Times in 1,936 Posts	Re: Cam degree help for 305 chevy I'd probably split the difference and install it @ about 103, but ,as mentioned, check your clearances. You'll know if you can advance it some more,...after evaluating your 60', MPH, and traction situation with the car itself. Where are you located? __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers

07-03-2011, 09:13 PM	#8
gmonde Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 615 Likes: 56 Liked 165 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Cam degree help for 305 chevy no matter where you put the cam just make sure you check piston to valve clearance ,you can all ways change it back if you dont feel it's up to par ,,,,,gmonde

07-04-2011, 01:15 AM	#9
new az stocker Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 20 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cam degree help for 305 chevy I would like to thank you for the help. I am going to start at 103 as Dave Casey and Mark Yacavone suggested........again thank you Last edited by new az stocker; 07-04-2011 at 01:23 AM.