FE cam timing

[Fabulous50s]

Has anyone played with the cam timing on their FE? I've got a Cloyes double roller chain that allows 6 degrees either way from straight up. I'm looking for all the bottom end I can get. Stock hydraulic cam. I'm tempted to go 2 or 4 degrees advanced, but really have nothing to go on.

Thanks!
Taylor

[59meteor]

I have moved the cam timing around on my 428 FE drag cars, never tried it with a stock engine. Unless your engine was a recent rebuild, or had a recent timing chain replacement, chances are the timing chain is likely stretched at least 4 to 6 degrees, so would likely help a bit. Moving the cam around can also change the piston to valve clearance, but with a mild cam, should be of no concern.

[Fabulous50s]

Yes, I've completly rebuilt the engine. It's still on the engine stand. .030 over bore to clean up taper, .010 ground crank due to seized oil pump and spun bearings and 3 NOS rods etc. Basically bringing it back to stock.

The link belt chain was quite slack.

Just wondering it 2 degrees advance would yield any benefit since it's easy to do. Or just set it straight up and not overthink it.

[59meteor]

You could try it, but I really doubt it would make any difference, especially since it`s a fresh rebuild, you would have nothing to compare it against. The only real way to know if it does anything , positively, or negatively, would be on a dyno or dragstrip, doing a A-B-A back to back comparison, but I really doubt that you would want to get involved in all work.

[lalessi1]

I would set it up straight and not worry about advancing the cam since the engine is stock.