I received my cam for this 283 today. Now what is the best way to ensure maximium performance for this cam install without a degree wheel. I know to bring the #1 piston TDC and install the camshaft straight up. Since I don't have a degree wheel can I use my dial indicator some way to help get it as close as possible. I have seen that degree wheel that you can download, however my 283 crank do not have the bolt for the crank, yes its a press on damper. Any suggestion? This engine will be use probably until next summer than come the 400. Its a summit cam #SUM-1102.

* Advertised duration: 262 intake/272 exhaust
* Duration at .050 in. cam lift: 204 intake/214 exhaust
* Gross valve lift: .420 in. intake/.442 in. exhaust
* Lobe separation: 112 degrees
* RPM range: 1,500 to 4,000

...buy a degree wheel...seriously.

I second that.

throw the cam in straight up with that small of cam no big deal.........besides the degreeing wheel just verifies the cam card readings to make sure the valve action happens when it suppose to......even if the cam is off a few degrees either way you wont feel the difference .........heck your cam retards itself when the timming chain stretches anyway .......save your money from buying the degree wheel and spend it elsewhere

I'd be willing to bet the cam has 5º of advance built into it, if it's like all the other 204/214 cams out there. Just line up the timing marks and you'll be fine. BTW, I run that cam in my 350 powered driver. It should be a good cam in a 283. I think the rpm range will be wider than the specs (which are for a 350).

I have also decided to change the head gasket to get a tighter quench. I will use a .015 shim gasket Fel-Pro 1094 to bump my compression up a little, so that I will have a .040 quench and about 8.5 cr w/ flattop 4-valves relief pistons. I was also curious to see if I had piston to valve clearance problems because I did bent a few (4)pushrods during the initial break-in, now you see why im doing a cam change. Problem was solve when I change the rocker arms. However I just want to check the pistons and to also get some numbers of the pistons so that I can figure a good estimate of the compression. This is just a temporary engine until the 400 is complete, BTW: only thing left to buy is the heads. Another question is this 283 crank have not been tap, was thinking about heli-coil it while the engine is in the car, what do "ya'll" (Down-South)think about that?