Advance timing on cams....

[DamnYankee]

Can someone explain it?

[Gator]

this may help a little.....it a cut & paste

Cam Tuning

Altering cam timing is one way to enhance engine performance, but it's often a trial-and-error process. In general, advancing cam timing moves the power curve lower, and retarding it moves it higher. That's more effective when enhancing a stock cam than aftermarket cams, since the aftermarket guys usually factor in a little timing advance beforehand.

The best reason to alter cam timing is to correct timing errors caused by manufacturing tolerances in the parts involved. It isn't uncommon to check the cam timing with new replacement parts (especially no-name and el cheapo specials) and find errors of 5-8 degrees. If you ever wondered why two identical engines perform at opposite ends, this is one of the reasons.

If you do need to alter cam timing, it can be done several ways, depending on your engine. One way is with offset camshaft-to-cam gear keyways, which can be bought in 2- to 8-degree increments, or with offset dowel pins, which advance or retard cam timing. Also, Cloyes, Crane, and others make a double roller chain and steel gear set with three keyways cut at three different timing increments.

[TXsilverado]

i heard advancing helps with the idle and drivability too. most off the shelf cams come with 2-4* of advance.

[DamnYankee]

cool cool - thanks guys

[txarkitekt]

I am not sure what the standard is for Comp cams, but I had 3 degrees of advanced timing ground into mine to get the power in sooner and to help out overall DD abilities. Even though my cam is a .581/.581, it kinda acts like a .563 or even lower due to the advanced timing...