I'm pretty sure i'm right about this but my friends think i'm wrong.

Do you absolutely need an adjustable cam gear to adjust cam timing on a sohc??? I was pretty sure that you can adjust the timing by rotating the distributor or something like that. If so, what do they make adjustable cam gears for sohc's for??? is it just for a little show/bling under the hood??? let me know whats up

 

Rotating the distributor changes ignition timing. Changing the cam gear affects cam timing. Two very different but cloesly related events.

Advancing dist timing and retarding cam timing increases top end, while retarding dist timing and advancing cam timing increases midrange power.

Cheers

 

you can advance and retard the cam timing by using thinner and thicker head gaskets...or milling the head.

milling or thinner HG retards cam timing which moves powerband up
thicker HG advances cam timing which brings powerband down.

so no...an adjustable cam gear is not needed. just makes things alot easier.

 

the cam gear is used when milling or a different head gasket is involved. the difference in height causes the timing belt to be off. the cam gear solves this problem. its also used for stock or aftermarket cams. some people just drop them in and end up running lean because of the higher lift and longer duration. by giving a little bit of fuel and adjusting the cam gear, at a dyno session of course, the power will be realized.

 

when looking at a cam gear, which way is advancing, which way is retarding it? cannot find this answer anywhere !!!