I have a new engine for my 87 D150 on the stand, with a 243 cam installed. On my first attempt to degree a cam, it looks to be 9 degrees retarded. Since the largest bushing is 8 degrees in my MP bushing kit, should I just put it in and run it at 103 degrees , or is there something else I can do to correct the cam timing?

103 will be fine.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

How many degrees can you get by moving a tooth on the chain?

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

IIRC, one tooth is about 15 degrees.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

So move it 1 tooth, and you're 6 degrees advanced....

Then back it off a little so you're slightly advanced....

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Thanks slantzilla and emstivil. At 103 Wouldn't chain stretch retard the cam more soon after I got it running? Also, which way should I move the chain to advance the cam?

The chain will not stretch any time soon. After many miles, you may have to think about chain stretch, but not for a long time.

As you face the front of the engine, the cam needs to be rotated clockwise relative to the camshaft sprocket. That is:

-Sprocket stays in the same position, camshaft moves clockwise

or

-Camshaft stays in the same position, sprocket moves anticlockwise

If you are working with offset bushings, the fat end of the bushing goes on the anticlockwise side, and the hole/thin end of the bushing goes on the clockwise side, to advance the cam. It's really easy to get crossed up when trying to picture this mentally, so take your time and draw pictures if necessary.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks Dan, cam is now installed at 103