MTFCA Forum

Does anyone know for sure whether currently made T cams made by Specialty Motor Cams are made with 0 degrees advance (like original), or 7.5 degrees advance built in (like the new ones Chaffins makes)? I have emailed and called Specialty Motor Cams last week and this week, and I got no reply from the email. The person I spoke to on the phone didn't know, and said that Bill had sold the business to his son, and they'd try to find out and let me know. I'm still waiting to hear. I think that I may just go ahead and order a Chaffin's. I have one of Bill's early production .280 cams with a 7.5 advance timing gear, so I know the originals were not cut with an automatic advance.

Bills are zero advance you can buy an adjustable timing gear from him set the degree of advance you want.

I've been trading messages with Bill on Facebook, and if I am interpreting his messages correctly, he seems to be "shooting down" any notions that a cam from Specialty Motor Cams, even needs to, or benefits from, any degree of advance. Ever since Tim Foy started making 7.5 degree advance nylon timing gears and preaching their benefit, I have thought it was accepted that T's ran better with the 7.5 degree advance. I'm confused. Now, after communicating with Bill, I understand that due to the timing built into the cam, the cam needs no further advancement, and a .290 cam is advanced even more than a .280.

For what it's worth, with my experience in engine building, the best thing to do first is ask the cam manufacture what they recommend. Have you called Specialty Motor Company? They are very helpful I have found recently myself. It's my understanding Bill is retired from the business.

Second thing, for as little effort as it takes to swap gears, or better yet use the Specialty Motors adjustable gear, play with the timing and see what you feel works. Everyone likes something different in the way their car drives, more importantly, every engine (even identical built ones) react differently to changes.

Third, if you really want to go nuts, degree the cam in and see where you really are on the cam centerlines, but I understand this is a little too much for most people.

RE: "For what it's worth, with my experience in engine building, the best thing to do first is ask the cam manufacture what they recommend. Have you called Specialty Motor Company? They are very helpful I have found recently myself. It's my understanding Bill is retired from the business. "
I think that was covered in both his post.