I just built my 318 for my chrysler and because this is not meant to be a hi performance engine like my 410 I purchased the cheaper Mel Gear timming set from rocket australia for $80 as it has three way crank gear that says 4 degrees plus and 4 degrees minus and zero. As I always degree my camshaft I proceeded to degree it but came up at 1.5 degrees retarded on dot to dot. This was unaceptable because I knew that with chain stretch it would be more retarded in a short time. I put the set together at the 4 degrees advanced keyway and degreed it again but then came up with 6.5 degrees advanced. WTF. The crank sprocket is 4 degrees which is 8 degrees at the camshaft even thou the box says 4 degrees retard or advance. Well I bit the bullet and purchased a rollmaster set( made in Australia) for $180 that has nine way adjustable and set it up dot to dot and it was excact to the cam grinders specs. So I advanced it 2 degrees to allow for chain stretch down the track. What I thought was incorrect camshaft specs turned out that the cheap melgear(made in the USA Jackson MI) was a total piece of ****. Still have it new in the box. So even if it is only a cruiser don't skimp on the timming chain set!
