Running a cam a few degrees advanced from its normal timing increases low end torque. We used to use an offset Woodruff key or an eccentric dowel pin bushing on the small block Chevy V8 round track engines to advance the cam 3 or 4 degrees and get a better hole shot off the turns. Since the stovebolt intake and exhaust port shape pretty effectively chokes off high speed gas flow, I wonder if advancing a 261 cam a few degrees would give a noticeable improvement in the torque department?
When and/or if I get my dyno back in operation, I might try experimenting a little with cam positioning.
Jerry
I have always been intrigued by that cam advancement mod since I first read about it in the early '80s in Car Craft magazine. I don't understand what is going on with it however. I am guessing that like most modifications, there is no such thing as free lunch.
Makes me wonder when the engineers will find a way to create an engine which has a variable cam advancement feature, allowing for economy, or higher performance when needed.
Carl
