We just installed a new camshaft into a 82 Camaro 350 engine.....the car isnt sounding right so we got a friend to come over which is licensed.....he told us the the dot on the camshaft and the dot on the crankshaft are suppose to be facing each other. The guy that installed our camshaft has put the dots top dead center...and when you start the car you cant hear the cam shaft. We are not using a timing chain we have a gear box instead. Could someone please tell me if we have to face the 2 dots toward each other?

 

The dots MUST be facing.... Cam "down" and crank "up"...

 

So the car is running but not sounding right? Timing might be a little retarded. Verify with a timing light and advance it a little if you need to. Between 6 and 8 degrees should be a good start.

Both dots at 6 and 12 o'clock positions (facing each other)= #6 TDC

Both dots at 12 o'clock (both facing up)= #1 TDC

You install the cam with the dots facing each other because it's easier to line up the dots correctly rather than trying to eyeball it with both dots facing at 12 o'clock. Once you have the timing chain or gear drive installed, verify the dots are still in alignment and rotate the motor by hand til both dots are facing up. You are now at #1 TDC and can drop in the distributor.