Retarding the cam question.
06-16-2007, 11:27 AM
#1
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Retarding the cam question.
There's a shop rebuilding a 302 for us and they were told that the new cam would bump the lift to .540 and therefore the pistons would need to be notched (twisted wedge heads). Went to pick it up and they said they didn't need to notch the pistons, they just retarded the cam enough so they wouldn't hit. First reaction was wtf would someone do that. Figured they might have forgotten to notch the pistons, put it all back together and then noticed the problem. Not talked to the mechanic who did it yet (will on monday) so I'm not sure why. I missing something?
06-16-2007, 12:12 PM
#2
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RE: Retarding the cam question.
Sounds like they like chevys, because they're dumb as ****! You can't change howhigh the lift is to compensate for piston clearence, then there's no point to any of what you wanted to do. And cutting the pistons is stupid too, by the time you pay to do that you could have just bought new forged pistons with the correct valve reliefs! I run .558 lift with Edel. RPM 2.02 heads, so I have alittle experience with this, I think you need a new engine builder.
06-16-2007, 12:20 PM
#3
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RE: Retarding the cam question.
Plus usually retarding the cam makes piston to valve clearance problems worse. He didn't even say how far? HAHA If that cam is for ur set up and intake, then ur powerband is gunna be all f'ed up now. Sounds like u got some lazy idiots workin on ur car. Did they degree the cam or just half *** it til it worked?
06-16-2007, 12:25 PM
#4
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RE: Retarding the cam question.
I'm a few projects away from building my own so I think I'll just start using the guy to machinethem for me. This was a low budget build and notching was the cheaper way out with the agreement we made with the shop. Few more bucks and we would have stroked it. Next time.
06-16-2007, 12:34 PM
#6
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RE: Retarding the cam question.
it's not necessarily too much, people retard cams all the time to raise their powerband. but if they just did it and didn't degree it then it seems pretty stupid. What's worse, if they advanced it then u aint gunna make **** up high in the revs. It will just be a torque beast. Somethin u should put in a pick up u know.U could notch it urself then time the cam straight up if u want to
06-16-2007, 02:34 PM
#8
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RE: Retarding the cam question.
Get a new shop to work your engine.......valve lift and PtV problems are NOT related + if they didn't degree the cam (btw...which one do you have installed?) and clayed it.....they're "playing it by ear" based on hearsay. And yes, retarding the cam will help increase intake valve clearance and lower exhaust valve clearance......
06-17-2007, 11:53 AM
#10
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RE: Retarding the cam question.
ORIGINAL: GT350
Notching is a waste of time and money, all you are doing is making the piston weaker, I don't think a weak piston is any solution.
Notching is a waste of time and money, all you are doing is making the piston weaker, I don't think a weak piston is any solution.