olds 307 and 403

Does wheel size make a difference? Which is better a 9, 10 or 11" wheel? Any kit to avoid? Which is easier, heads on or off? Thanks.

Fun71

A larger wheel can give more precise readings, but at some point the wheel gets to be too big to fit where you need it (I'm thinking of engine installed in the car), so try to get the largest one that you can attach to the engine. If your engine will always be ona stand, get the largest one possible.

Heads off is easier, but I wouldn't pull the heads off an assembled engine to degree the cam. There are pistons stops that fit in the spark plug hole for that. I made one out of an old spark plug and a bolt. Removed the ceramic, threaded the inside of the metal shell, and screwed the bolt in. Voila, adjustable piston stop.

I also made a "solid lifter" out of a piece or brass stock that was about 4 inches long. Turned the OD down so it slipped into the lifter bore (one end is .842" and the other is .921") so I had a stable platform for measuring cam lift.

olds 307 and 403

Yes, it will be on the stand and I am swapping heads, so heads off will be fine. Thanks, any pointers help.

MDchanic

Kenneth's pretty much said it all.

Heads off will make it easy to use a dial indicator on piston crowns to determine precise location of TDC, this is not impossible with heads on, but is extremely difficult.

The bigger the wheel, the easier it is to see, and to make small adjustments in rotation.
The same goes for the wrench you're using on the crank - if you've got a 2' or even 3' breaker bar, it will be much easier to turn the engine precise small amounts.

- Eric

olds 307 and 403

I have a 3', one inch drive Grey breaker bar, 1" extension bar and 1 1/8" socket, a lot of torque. I am curious how close my Cloyes Street Roller timing set is. I figure if I spent the dollars on a custom cam, might as well make sure everything is timed where it should be.

442Harv

When I degree my cams, what I started to do, is just install the #1and 2 pistons, that way, the crank is a lot easier to turn. Unless someone can tell me why that is a bad idea, it worked better for me to turn the crank.

MDchanic

Heck, all you really need to degree the cam is the #1 piston, to determine TDC.

- Eric