410 Stroker with Comp Cam XR286HR,

My ENgine builder is no longer in business for personnal reasons but he was really reliable.

In my documentation & verbally he told me that he has installed the Cam with 2 degree advance (104 instead of 106). This was to have good torque at low RPM since my gear was only 3:55.

I am now installing a 3:91 and would like to put the Cam back were the manufacturer recommend (I have also used dyno software to validate).

I trust my former engine builder but the crank gear is installed with the keyway labeled 0 degree??? Is this possible? When I lower the Cam gear dot down at 6 o'clock it is lining-up with the outboard 0 degree mark on the crank gear (marks closer to the chain).


My question is, is it possible that my Cam was installed with 2 degree advance even if the crank gear is in the 0 degree keyway? (JP Performance billet timing set)?

Thanks, will try to post picture later.

Some of those timing sets have an array of dots/ triangles/squares that can be confusing. Eyeball all that you have/location and holler back. I am assuming w this good of a set that he didn't need to use the MP offset keys but used the above marks to advance it

yes, its possible. they make offset cam keys for adjustment at the cam. If he use a 2 degree advance key, you will either need to offset that at the crank or get a 0 degree advance key.

Personally I would leave it alone. All chains stretch, cheap ones a lot. Good ones not so much, but they still stretch. By the time you get a few more miles on it, it will be at 106*. Besides there isn't all that much difference between 3:55 & 3:91.