Timing by Inclinometer?

[Gemmer]

I was thinking of doing the timing retard, but I cant find any timing wheels that are small enough to do it while the engine it in the car.

I was thinking of picking one of these up for general leveling around the house...anyone ever try using something like this to measure crank rotation?

http://www.mytoolstore.com/checkpnt/680.html

[Dave]

wow, that'd be a way to get it perfect!

--Dave.

[TheProfessor]

whats an inclinometer

[firechiken]

whats an inclinometer

a fancy level

[Q]

The inclinometer uses gravity to measure angles, but not big angles, and usually not 360 degree rotations. You would have to first get a reading at TDC and subtract (or add) that to (or from) every reading after that.

An encoder with a shit load of lines (like 36,000 or more) from BEI would do what you want. They only run about $700. Then, you alse need a pulse counter. A degree wheel from a cam manufacturer is probably about $35. You do the math.

Q

[dykz34]

The inclinometer uses gravity to measure angles, but not big angles, and usually not 360 degree rotations. You would have to first get a reading at TDC and subtract (or add) that to (or from) every reading after that.
Q

Couldn't you set the cams to flat, then zero the inclinometer on the flat cams, and then adjust the cams based on that?

[Q]

No. The cam flats are parallel to eachother always when they are timed correctly, but only in two positions is there actually a flat across both cams, and the angle of that flat is not the same from one head to the other. Two inclinometers on one bank of cams (one on each cam) would tell you when the two cams are parallel, or they could tell you the angle between them, once you have a reference "zero" angle. You could then "assume" (see other posts) that the angle between the cam flats is 60 degrees from one bank to the other.

The cam flat tool and the degree wheel on the crank is the most accurate way to time the cams if you are looking for anything other than straight-up. You can NOT use a lobe on the cam to set the cam to its "TDC" when the crank is at TDC. The valves are at an angle, and unless you know that angle (or have a tool) you can't cant the dial indicator the right amount unless you are good, or lucky. And, it's always better to be good than lucky.

Q

[Gemmer]

I mean doing the timing as usual, camflat tools and all...but first finding cyl TDC, then putting the inclinometer (one such as shown on the page there with 360* measurements accurate to .05) on the crank.

Then when I need to rotate the crank I spin it all the way so the inclinometer says 0* (a full 360 rotation) and for the intakes, spin the crank a rotation till it says 347 (or thirteen depending on which way the meter reads angles)

Anyho, if that wont work, any idea how I can do this without dropping the engine to fit a big ass degree wheel on there?

[firechiken]

Did you see this by RednBlack? http://www.60degreev6.com/index.php?...ewtopic&t=3958