7 Degree Advance Question

[ShirkWood]

Probably 20 years ago, I bought a bunch of Model T parts from a friend who was retiring and moving away. He didn't want to move the T-parts. (He had lots!!!) I got a re-ground camshaft in the pile. I'd like to visit with my friend about the cam but he died...and I'm thinking everyone at Performance T-Parts from Dickinson, TX, (that is who's name is on the box the cam is in) has passed away also. I think there were two T-guys that owned Performance T-Parts. Perhaps one was Ralph Zeichek sp? and I can't remember the other ones name. I can see them, just can't remember their names. It sure looks like a re-qround cam. I need a timing gear for it. The current suppliers offer a standard and a 7 degree advanced gear. Some camshafts, that are offered, say that, "the advance is built in the cam" and caution you not to use it with a 7 degree advanced cam. Others don't address it. What's you thoughts? Should I install a 7 degree advanced or go with a stock? Is there a way to tell if the grind is advanced? Thanks for you help!!!

As kind of a side thought, an old friend, (who has since passed on too) told me about the 7 degree advance probably 50 years ago. His T ran fast. So apparently knowledge of advancing a cam has been around for a long time. He just took an old gear and went 83 degrees and re-drilled the pin holes to get the 7 degree advance. These new gears save all of that work! I've got enough to do without making more work for myself! If buying a 7 degree advanced gear is what I need to do, I'm all for it!

Thanks!!!
Verne Shirk

[RajoRacer]

If you're in the market for an advanced nylon cam gear - I have a new one on the bench - reasonable !

[Craig Leach]

Hi Verne,
I'm sure somewhere there is a set of cam specs for stock Model T cams posted. If the engine is still apart you can install a degree wheel on the
crank & by checking the valve travel you can check the timing of the camshaft. Chaffins regrind cams have some advance built into them and
using a advanced cam gear is not recomended, but I don't know about others. 3-7 degrees is not noticeable with the naked eye. I hope someone
that knows the MFG of the cam can give you more insight to it so you don't have to go through the degree proccess it can be frustrating.
Craig.

[Dan Hatch]

I use gears that have both on them so I don’t have to stock two kinds of gears. That way if you don’t like it ,just move it to the other set of holes. Dan

[ShirkWood]

Thanks for the responses. The engine is apart. I may just have to get a degree wheel and do some checking.

[CudaMan]

Stock Model T cam specs, along with a lot of other interesting camshaft history and info can be found here:

https://mtfctulsa.com/downloads/CamDesign.PDF

[J1MGOLDEN]

Two years ago, I had an engine rebuilt in Ohio and the rebuild included a 7 degree advanced timing gear.

Evidently all the advance was changed by the keyway in the timing gear.

The engine runs quieter than any of the dozen or more engines I have had rebuilt.

The radiator never boils over, and the engine has a lot more power for hills.

I don't understand it, but I like it!

[ModelTWoods]

I don't know what date STIPE (Specialty Motor Cams) started cutting NEW cams with advance built in to them, but more than a decade ago, I bought a .280 lift cam from them. Having been told NOT to, I installed it with an advanced timing gear. The engine seems to run OK. In the last 10 years, I bought a .290 lift cam from them. I asked them at the time if I should run it with some advance. Their answer was NO; that advance is built in to the cam. I have not used that cam, but if and when I do, I won't advance it.

[Tmooreheadf]

Didn’t realize my 280 cam had a 7.5 advance built in. Added a 7.5 advanced gear. With 3 : 1 rear end, the roadster ran like crap on low end but would wind up for ever. Absolutely no low end torque at all. Fun as can be to drive on flat, not at all fun on hills.

[Steve Hughes]

Pretty sure that the 280 Stipe cam does not have the advance built in, but the 290 does.

[ShirkWood]

Thanks to all for your comments. The Model T Winter Clinic in Kansas had a topic some time back about cams that Larry Young and Fred Huston put on. It was very informative. I'd heard of the 7 degree advance from my late friend, Bud Voth, probably 40 years ago. I can't say that I heard much about it in the Model T community until maybe 20 years ago (or maybe even less) when, I believe, Dan McEachern came out with an adjustable gear. My guess is that this Performance Model T Cam I have was made before the 7 degree advanced trend became popular.