Should i advance my cam or leave it alone?

[stephen4785]

Iv got a comp cam 280H and a Cloyes adjustable double roller timing chain.Im gonna take off the timingchain cover to replace the crank seal and was wondering if I should try advancing the cam or not. It said on the package that if your using an aftermarket cam then the advance is already in the cam and to install it straight up.If i did advance it would it help any or hurt?

 

[rbohm]

just install it straight up. comp cams grinds their cams with 5 degrees advance in the to take timing chain stretch into account. you wont gain anything by advancing the cam, in fact you would end up going too far and losing power.

 

[HistoricMustang]

I am in the "straight up" crowd also.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com/tech.html

 

[Max Power]

Most performance cam mfgs recommend straight up. Advancing it will move the power band lower in the rpm range, but may build cylinder pressures at lower rpms to the point where you may get some detonation. The gears you are running is a factor. The deeper the gears, the more you can get away with it, but the less you will need it.