how to install custom cams?

i got some info from ed over at modular fords and he says .010 or more is good for clearance

so thats what ill put them at

he also said this is normal for aftermarket cams for this to happen from time to time.

cool deal, Ed is the F'ing man to say the least. He practically held my hand through timing & degree'ing my engine recently. I'd listen to pretty much anything he says/recommends for modular motors. He's a really good guy. The knowledge I'm passing is pretty much coming form my experience recently with him.

SVT_Troy said:

Steve

I left my primary tensioners on but pinned and what I did to take up the slack is pass my .50 before max lift point then came back to it which takes the slack out and gives you an accurate reading without full tension. Messing with the tensioners everytime you need to make an adjustment puts added wear on the holes and wastes a lot of time

Click to expand...

You introduce retard into your findings that will not be there when the chain is tight with oil and the engine is rotating in the normal direction when done as you describe. This ultimately means the cams will be advanced further then believed when the degreeing process is concluded. That is why all degreeing instructions have you take your findings with a motion continuing in the direction of engine rotation. I just used welding clamps on the arms themselves to simulate oil pressure in the tensioners.

The intake lift for my custom cams is close to .500". I used a Dremel and flat file to provide .020" of clearance from the towers with a feeler gauge. It took a while and some were closer then others to start.

Filed mine too with .475/.450 cams.