This is a basic overview of checking the timing events of the cam to your engine.
First step: Install a degree wheel. If you don't have a crank bolt, don't despair! Most didn't come with one. The bolt size is 3/4-16 x 1.5" long. Put something under the bolt head, like an O'Ring so you can snug it down, and still be able to turn the wheel.
Second step, Find TDC:
Put a piece of wire or some sort of indicator on the block that hovers near the edge of the degree wheel as a pointer. This will allow you to accurately find degree values on the wheel. once you have TDC found, Zero the wheel to your pointer. From this point on, do not disturb the wheel!
Now you need a way to tell where the #1 intake lobe is. It is quick work to make a tool that has a flat face, top and bottom, that fits the lifter bore. It helps to have a lathe.
Insert the tool in place of the lifter on #1's Intake cam lobe:
Here it is installed:
Move your dial indicator to the lifter tool:
Refer to your cam card to obtain the number of degrees that the intake should be at for 0.050" Lift, and verify that the reading on the degree wheel matches that value.
This concludes the tutorial for the basics of cam timing. Further instructions for making corrections or modifications to timing may follow.
This thread has some good information.
CJ & Fopar
Here is a way to mount your dial indicator to the head and measure using the rocker. Assume there is a pushrod there!
The 2" x 1/8" Piece of flat stock has slots to mount with the valve cover bolts, or whatever is handy. The magnetic base is solid once the flat stock is tightened down.