billet double row timing chain ls1

[johnno010684]

i have nearly finished putting new comp, springs, retainers, locks, seats, and a 222/224 comp cam in my ls1. with the lit i also got lifters and a double row timing chain. is it as easy as pulling the old single row chain off and putting the billet cogs and chain on, i know when you keep the original you have to line up the timing dots so how does this work with the double row as there is only a dot on the cam sprocket and a 0 and numbers to retatrd or advance the timing on the crank sprocket.

[cander24]

I've only used the v6 double rollers, but yes you should probably have 9 keyways on the crank sprocket to adjust the timing by advancing or retarding in + or - 2 increments. Lining up the dot on the cam sprocket with the '0' on the crank sprocket is the same as going dot to dot. Do you not have any instructions with it? What brand?
I would also strongly recommend to dial the cam in and not just go dot to dot and hope for the best. Minor variations and incorrect tolerances etc all multipled together could see the cam a few degrees or so off if you just line up the dots.

[johnno010684]

its a billet, i just figured it out by lining the 0 to 0 on the crank sprocket, im unfamiliar with dialling in a cam please explain? in the instructions all it says is to line up dot to dot

[cander24]

Does your cam come with no written info on dialing in? Do you have a card with all the cam specs? In particular what the intake centre line angle is? It will probably be something like 116 degrees or in that area. Rather than me write a really long description, just do a google search for something like "Camshaft intake centre line degreeing" or similar. Should be quickly able to locate a few how to's on doing this. Use the one by Comp Cams if you can find it. Very simple and easy to follow. Basically its all about ensuring the cam position in relation to the crank cycle is in the best spot for performance, economy etc. You'll need a good dial gauge with magnetic base and a degree wheel to do this.
Most people probably never worry about dialling/degreeing in a new cam and just go dot to dot, but i'd certainly recommend it if you want to get the most out of it and ensure its spot on.

[johnno010684]

i have a card with all the specs and the intake centre line is 110

[johnno010684]

whoa!! seems like a fair bit of work and knowledge degreeing a cam! how bad is it when you only line up dot to dot?

[cander24]

Depends on the cam. As far as I know most off the shelf 'performance' cams are often meant to be installed and run dot to dot, but you need to allow for the fact that often they can be ground a few degrees out and different tolerances here and there etc etc all compound and could have you running the cam a few degrees off its peak. This is the benefit of the adjustable timing chain so if it doesn't dial in where it should when installed straight up/dot to dot, you then have the ability to advance or retard as necessary to correct this. As I said though, I think many never even worry about dialing in and just go dot to dot. Unless you get unlucky with a dud cam thats a bad grind, you'll probably be fine like this.
Thats just my opinion though

Refer to pic below. Not quite an ls1, but the process is the same.

[johnno010684]

ive done a bit of research on degreeing, it seems fairly complicated for someone who isnt familiar with it (me). ive got the double row timing chain back on now and cam lined up dot to dot, its an off the shelf comp cam and as far as the instructions say it goes dot to dot. i will ask the tuner if he recommends degreeing when i take it down for a mafless. cheers for the help!