mikesr4565

I am getting ready to install a new E303 cam in my fox. it came with the cam card. am being told 2 different answers when it comes to installing it. one person is saying I need a cam timing tool and the other person is saying I don't. can you tell me which is correct?


thank you

proeagles

You'll get a lot of opinions on this most likely. Unless you are racing and looking for the absolute best cam timing, the answer is no. Throw in the cam, line up the marks, put the chain on and be done with it. You will use the distributor to set the ignition timing and all will be fine. You will love the cam by the way.

mikesr4565

thank you for your quick response. also another question. I am running GT40P heads with trick flow upgraded springs. can I use stock push rods? I have 1.6 and 1.7 rockers, which would be best for this setup?


thank you again

wbrockstar

The cam timing degree wheel is used by engine builders primarily to verify the cam thats in the box is the cam thats supposed to be in the box,if you know what I mean.If you order an E303 cam with .498" lift,but the part manufacturer/distributor had a lazy employee the day your cam was packaged and he/she put a Z303 cam,with .552" lift,in the box instead of a E303 cam,you'd be screwed once you fired the engine up and heard the pistons smacking the valves.If you bolted 1.7 rockers down with a Zcam,your lift figure would increase from .552" w/1.6 rockers to .582" w/1.7 rockers,so you can see what damage could be done with the wrong cam.Actually,the overlap difference between two cams can be more detrimental to ptv clearance than the final lift figures. Generally speaking though,getting a package with the wrong cam rarely happens.Its probably more likely for this to occur when buying a used cam off the net from an unknown source vs a manufacturer.Ive never used a cam tool myself & never had an issue,so the fact that Im dropping hints to possibly use one is ironic I guess,but you're probably fine without one.If you install the cam & the #1 cylinder rockers then turn the engine over by hand through two crank revolutions,you would likely feel any ptv contact then.
Id drop the cam in with the timing sprockets at 12 & 6,get the #1 piston to tdc on the compression stroke (make sure the 0° timing mark on the balancer is aligned with the timing pointer) drop the distributor in so that the rotor is pointed at the #1 spark plug position on the distributor cap (it should be pointing between the front two bolts on the upper intake mounting flange) Once you've made it to here,use Witeout and draw a line across the 10° btdc balancer mark (draw the line across the 12-14° position if you prefer that setting over the factory value) connect a timing light,start the engine,pull the spout plug,aim the light,slightly loosen the distributor bolt,rotate the distributor until the white line is aligned with the timing pointer, tighten the bolt,reinstall the spout plug and you're done.

mikesr4565

thank you, have the new cam installed. will be assembling the motor back together and will let you guys know how it went.

TrimDrip

If the motor is apart, I always put a head on without the gasket and roll the engine over to make sure it doesn't hit. If it has clearance without the gasket, surely it would with I assume.

and these engine builders and cam specialist confuse me about the degree wheel. They claim you need to use a wheel no matter what with a custom cam. Personally, If I ordered a custom cam, I would want it to be customized to the point of me being able to install it dot to dot.

mikesr4565

well put my friend

wbrockstar

If you installed the TFS-2500100 valvespring kit,its good up to .542" lift.If you run 1.6 rockers with the Ecam,you'll have .498" lift.If you run 1.7 rockers with the Ecam,you'll push it to .528" lift.
If you set the head in place without a gasket, then you turn the engine over by hand two revolutions,with zero ptv clearance issues, you should be good to go because E7/GT40 GT40P heads use a gasket with compressed height of .040"-.042".IOW - if clearance isnt an issue without the gasket,it surely wont be an issue with the gasket.

mikesr4565

the motor is back together and in my car. has a nice thump sound now. the roads have been to wet here to try her out to much. thank you for all the help

wbrockstar

Glad you got it thumping again.