What size degree wheel is the best? I see Moroso has one that is 18" in diameter. It would seem to me that the bigger one would be better to more accurately dial in the base timing and the camshaft. With that size I think you could dial into a 1/2 degree or more. On my DynoSim software a one degree differance on the cam can equal at least 5 horsepower in the upper ranges. Any thoughts?

 

You are correct in your assumption that a larger diameter degree wheel will produce greater resolution on fractions of a degree. That's not to mention the advantages that it will provide once one's eyesight to becomes problematic with advancing age. I use Moroso #62190 since I occasionally need to work with the wheel with the engine in the car but #62191 would be a big plus for out-of-the-car use. Consider getting #61755 to make use of either wheel more convenient.

c

 

I have one of those big ole ones... they certainly are the way to go, but the nice ones aren't cheap. Either way ANY degree wheel is better than none, if you do it a lot get a big one, if you do it one or two times it doesn't matter.

Bret

 

Well the Moroso one that I was looking at sells for around $40 at Summit. With the thought of posibly being a degree off I will go that route. Don't want to leave any horsepower on the table. At least the ones I know about. If I don't know some of the horsepower tricks that is the way it goes.

 

What it really comes down to is what do you have room to use? If the engine is out on the stand then use the biggest one possible, if it’s in an f-body, things get tight really fast and you’ll be looking for a small one.

 

Mark,

That's a really good point. Unless one is a certified contortionist or very, very small in stature, using a degree wheel on an engine inside the chassis of an 4th generation F-body would be a real challenge. I haven't tried that and most probably couldn't if I did try. I have done it frequently in cars with more available space and since many of the cars that I work on are earlier models and/or race cars with a minimum of obstructions and a lot more room to begin with, my assortment of tools is intended to accommodate a broader range of possibilities. Advice to someone whose program consists solely of a 4th generation F-body: Get the biggest wheel you can justify paying for and pull the motor!

c

 

I cheaped out & went homemade - they had some 17" round pieces of aluminum at work that they made by mistake and I used one to make the wheel along with some adhesive backed stickers which I made in ACAD and printed out to fit the wheel. It worked and showed my cam to be within a degree which is about how much slop there seemed to be in the whole thing.

 

Anybody have the time-- it's half past 23*.
Big Ben Style.

Nice job.

 

Agreed, bigger wheel would be better out of the car.

I've done it with the engine in the car, no fun task by any means, and the only degree wheel that will fit with the accessory bracket still in place is the 9" Comp degree wheel.

 

I've done it in the car with a big wheel.

Bret

 

Just saw the latest article by David Vizard in Popular Hot Rodding. He(students?) is degreeing a cam and it looks to be pretty good size. I would say in the 16-18inch range. Looks to be a pretty high tech one with two degree wheels in one.