Degreeing the Cam

[Marc Lublin]

For anyone that has had to degree the cam on the viper let me ask you a question. I don't have a solid lifter so I am using a very light checking spring on my intake valve. Even with this spring when I get the valve to maximum lift the dial starts to move as the lifter compresses. I guess even though the valve spring is light it is still enough pressure for the lifter to compress. How do you get around this. I have checked it with the lifter completely compressed. I would think this would be accurate? Which leads me to my next question, how do we change the degree on this car?
Thanks for your help

 

[Marc Lublin]

Wow, the responses are just pouring in. Come on Dan, Doug, Kyle, I know all you guys have had experience with these motors.

 

[Doug Supercharged Vipers]

Marc -

Crower Cams sells an adjustable timing chain gear to change the cam degree for your specifications. I don't know enough about your application to supply enough details for you. You can also change the settings by using an "offset key" on the crankshaft timing chain gear. Another way (more complicated) is to re-pin the cam on the setting you prefer. It's easier to re-pin a factory regrind (as well as it offers less chance on "shearing the cam gear pin") than with a billet camshaft.

Also, make sure you degree your cam with the same rockers, shims and pushrods you intend to use.

Good Luck,
Doug

 

[Marc Lublin]

Yes he did although I that by that point I knew what I needed. He did point me to a mopar gear and while I was on the Mopar website I saw the bushings I need which will be the easiest way to degree the cam. Thanks

 

[opnwide]

you might try a small washer on top of the lifter to prevent the plunger from depressing. This should give you accurate cam readings, but don't forget to remove it when checking rocker arm geometry.

 

[Marc Lublin]

opnwide,
Not in the viper motor, you can't get to the lifter unless you remove the heads which are staying on.

 

[Jason Heffner]

You removed the cam with the heads still on? Did you use magnets to hold the lifters up?

 

[Marc Lublin]

No, I installed the cam last year but never degreed it and it always bothered me. Now that I sent out my intake manifold and I am without the car I decided to degree it. Turns out, it is off by 4 degrees