Cam degreeing. I totally don't understand.

cudamark said

How about if you have to change the timing chain and sprocket set and don't know what the cam specs are? Is there an easy way to degree the cam without having to pull it out and figuring out the specs? Dial indicators on push rods to check lift, duration, overlap? Any videos out there to recommend?

Click to expand...

Yes there is a way to get very close, and there is another way to shortcut it.

1) is just to slam it in there and degree it to see where it falls, then map it out on paper. But you have to degree BOTH the intake and the exhaust, so you can figure out the actual as ground, LSA. Then you can decide if it needs to be moved.
2) if you just want it to run with no eye to performance, slam it in dot to dot. Then drop two lifters into the #6 holes with #1 at TDC compression. Then lay a straightedge across those two lifters. Then rock the engine back and forth ever so slightly until the straightedge contacts the lifters at 4 points, two outboard edges AND two inboard edges.
Now read the timing mark. This assumes your damper is on and accurate. If the timing mark is within 4* of TDC, "send" it.