What would the symptoms be of a retarded camshaft???

[4agedub]

No, not that kind of retarded

What kind of symptoms can you expect if the cam timing has been retarded from the correct position?? (6 degrees crankshaft degrees) Something like low down torque, but no top end?

[MowAddict]

I do believe its vise-versa. retarding the camshaft gives you more top end and advancing it gives you more bottom end.

I'm sure someone will be around to expand on it more in abit

Hope that helps.

[Marc]

Yes, it's the other way 'round. Advancing the cam gets the intake valve closed sooner, which tends to boost low-end power at the expense of top-end. Retarding has the opposite effect.
As a rule for whatever gain you get at one end, you'll lose at least that much at the other...if it takes more than 2 or 3° change to find what you want, you've probably got the wrong cam.
I'm talking about true timing compared to what the grinder intended, it's not unheard of to need 2 or 3° adjustment at the gear just to bring it to design specs.

[FJCamper]

4AgeDub,

(There are no retarded camshafts, just special ones that are installation or index-challenged)

If you've installed one a tooth off retarded, the engine will start well, but have poor power past 3000, and all your tuning efforts for normal running -- timing, etc., will fail.

If you have a tooth advanced, you'll note hard start, maybe spitting or backfiring from the carb if you are trying to set to run your normal advance, but one running, seemingly normal power but accompanied by a hot engine. Maybe some dieseling on shutdown.

Either way, your timing efforts are the clue, having to twist the distributor too far left or right from what you're accustomed.

FJC

[4agedub]

Thanks
The cam has been installed on the correct marks, but was never degreed. It's a Engle fk89.

The intake valve was at 0.050" at about 30' and not 36' as per the cam card...

[perrib]

It makes small changes but you will feel it. Retarded moves the power band up a bit. Advanced moves it down a bit. When my rail gained weight it helped a bit to advance the cam. It might just improve your 60 foot time.