is there such a thing as a timing chain and gears that is set up in one position and will not let you degree the cam? i bought a new double roller timing set that has a gear with one hole for the cam and a gear with one slot for the crankshaft key. gear on the crank only goes on one way, gear on the cam only one way, two marks (indentions) on the gears must line up. where's the adjustment? thanks!

That is a non-adjustable set. To degree it you need to get the Mopar Performance bushing kit or something similar. You just drill out the pin hole in the cam gear and use the appropriate bushing.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

slantzilla: sorry it took me so long to get back with you, i had to go to work... well, it's probably best, being this was my first time putting on a timing chain. sorta, child proof. i figure i'll get some use out of it, at least till i get the parts i'm ordering to fix up the car. i will need to find a good timing set-up thats totally adjustable for my next cam. by the way i was reading about how fast your car is.... really amazing! thanks for your help!

The trouble with most timing sets is that they only go on one way and if you take the time to degree the cam, it may be off by a good amount and that can really hurt engine performance.

Funny how I used to spend a lot of time degreeing in cams. Setting up the degree wheel and pointer, making many engine revolutions, pen & paper notes, checking different offsets...

These days I degree most cames in about 15 minutes just because all my tools are set-up and I know what to look for. I don't use the special bushing most of the time, instead I mill the top gear's cam pin hole "oval" and slip-in a spacer to move the cam forward the needed amount.

The quick check anyone can do to ensure a "centered" cam is to look at the overlap event at TDCE and make sure it is evenly split or a tad bid advanced over true TDC. This is always a good check to be sure that you "lined-up the dots" correctly. (or that the dots are in the right place for that matter )
DD

Doctor Dodge, thanks, for you input. this was my first time to install a new timing chain and i found it to be quite a learning experience for me. i will have to plan my next timing set-up bring i will need to advance it by 10* and so having the right parts will help. TDC"E", what does the "E" stand for? thanks!

Exhaust stroke.