So, I'm working up the courage to install and degree my new cam. It seems like most of the info out there that tells you how to do it leaves a lot of things out that they expect you to already know. I've discovered a few tidbits that I think are key to know, but I still feel like I'm missing a lot. Those tidbits are: First, you set the piston stop at top dead center. this is important because the piston will stay at the top of the cylinder for possibly several degrees, but using the stop lets you make sure it's at TDC. Secondly, cam lobes are not necessarily symmetrical. For that reason, we need to know where peak lift is precisely.

Shoot, I already feel like I'm losing what I thought I understood about this. I still have so many questions. For example, how do you know where to put the degree wheel? It looks like you can just put zero anywhere! Does it even matter? Maybe it doesn't...