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Timing reground cam

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M

MikeH

Jedi Hopeful
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Hi, Been reading the instructions for installing a reground sreet cam, pretty straight foward except for one item. I need to find top dead center and then intstall a degree wheel on the crank. Can finding TDC be done with only the crank and camshaft installed. This is on a TR4. With out timing cover and pulley on there is no reference for TDC. Thanks, Mike

63 TR$ Surrey Top
 
Hi Mike -- Okay, I'll repeat my answer here in case it prompts additional comment or ideas:

Couldn't you just put one piston & con rod on there long enough to get it set?
 
One other trick, with the engine on a stand,and level, put in the last 2 lifters&pushrods. turn the cam untill the
push rods are both in movement, at the point where a level on the pushrods is true, you will have TDC of the cam.This is an old shadetree trick, but if #1 pistola is at TDC and the cam is TDC, and the chain and gears drop on It will be good for most street uses.
MD(mad dog)
 
Hi Mike,
I'm with Geo H. Put in a piston & rod(w/o rings or snap rings of course) assembly in #1 and snug up the rod bolts to maybe 15 pounds, read your dial gauge and you're done, and with perfect timing to boot. I think the only caution here is keeping all bearing surfaces lubed and clean at the same time when assembling/disassembling. Good luck.
 
All depends on how accurate you want your timing to be. Which also depends on what your primary use of your car. Street or track. In ether case this is the most critical measurements and set up that will determine the most potential performance out of the work of your rebuild. I did a lot of modifications on my Tr250 engine and when it came to the cam degree, I tried to do it myself (using the iskenderian method) and started to get confused. I called an engine builder and paid him to come over and do it. Best $65 I spent. He got it within 1 degree of perfect. Could have gotten an offset key to make up that 1 percent. But considering that they are off about 7 degrees from the factory, that was a great improvement. Everything I read said not to do a loose measurement. Have all your components ready then do your final install. Then degree your cam . To many variables like "no piston rings" can tilt the piston to one side and skew your readings by 20 thousands. Do your homework! Here is a link to ISKY Cams hope it helps.
https://www.iskycams.com/degreeing.php
 
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