The dial indicator and mag base can be had from harbor freight or amazon for about $25. A degree wheel, about $15. you can also print out a degree wheel from the internet and use cardboard to mount it up. You will likely need an extension rod which are in the $5 range or a kit is 20ish. You could do this with just the mag base and dial indicator if you are resourceful.
Spend a couple bucks to do it right the first time would be my suggestion.
Teh tolerance stacking issue will pop up. Had a cam that was supposed to be straight up at 106, The cam was cut 6 degrees retarded, chain, dot to dot another 4 behind... the cam was 10 degrees retarded from just those two items alone. That engine would not have run anywhere near right with that cam timing issue.
