Ben, I know that this hasn't been real easy for you, but I recall one of your early posts where you stated that you hoped this could be a learning experience for the rest of us L36 owners. If it'* any consolation at all, I believe I can speak for some of us in saying that there has been a lot of good info in here along with the issues and angst. Sometimes the problems and issue have more to teach us than a perfect first time drop-in would.

I know this doesn't make it any easier (or less expensive) for you, but thought you should know that some of us have been following this whole project with great interest. I, for one, thank you for taking the project on and sticking with it. All the while, keeping it public for the teaching it has to offer.

Keep it up, 'cause you're almost there!

I'm not 100% but I think you need a rollermaster timing set to degree your cam. It has keyways to adjust in 2* increments.

That method is the only method that I can think of that would be practical and work. Stock parts won't allow for it.

Ben, we're all learning. Keep it up.

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I sometimes forget that my cam is an untested design and there aren't necessarily any 'cookie cutter' answers for the problems that come up. I'll do what I can to kill the KR by reinstalling the EGR assembly, and after that comes a custom tune. Hopefully ZZP will be able to arrange some dyno tuning time for me, so we should learn a lot about the power curve of this motor.

Basically I'm resolving to leave the cam as it is. I don't have the money to buy a Rollmaster timing set right now, so I think we'll see what kind of power can be wrangled out of my current setup. Anybody think this is a bad plan (i.e. I would be doing potential damage to the motor by continuing to run the cam this way)?

Has anyone tried a low cost option for advancing or retarding the camshaft in lieu of using a Rollmaster timing set???
Well, there may be one!!!
There are offset camshaft keys avialable to do this. I do not have the specific size for the key used on our engines, however, Mr. Gasket and Mopar performance makes them in several sizes and with 2 and 4 degree offsets.
Check these links for pictures and sizes:
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=18599

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=21189

This may be an option for degreeing a camshaft. I think there are some companies that also make them for the cranshaft too.
Offset cam keys are even used for timing diesel engines too:
http://www.detroitdiesel.com/Public/sp/18sp186.pdf

After doing some thinking, and looking at my options with this camshaft, we would like to attempt to degree it. We will use an offset cam key if possible, but I am willing to resort to a Rollmaster timing set if all else fails.

How do I know the correct offset key to buy? Can I compare the centerline of the regrind to a stock centerline and figure the difference? Give me all the pointers you can about the best way to do this job! Thanks a lot.

After doing some thinking about my last post and reading through the Crane Cams degreeing method, I realized I just need to follow the first part of their procedure to find out how many degrees off my cam timing is and then order the appropriate cam key. Hopefully I can find an offset key that fits the keyway on the shaft. Any other advice would be helpful!

That'* all there is to it. Sorry, I've been otherwise absorbed lately, and hadn't had much time to answer posts. Just make sure you either advance or retard that cam. The offset key can be put in either way.

What'* your plan with the EGR?

EGR is going back on. I'm not sure when, but it will happen. I'm negotiating with a Bonneville owner on CGP to get some '97 Bonnie L67 exhaust manifolds, which should work according to your part numbers. I think I can get them for $40 shipped, which seems like a pretty great deal. I also need to get another EGR assembly with good flex pipes on it, because I hacked up the two I own trying to get a breather on for my EGR delete . I'll make a post in 'Wanted,' but if anybody has a spare one they want to give or sell please PM me.

Everything will be finished in the next few months, including degreed cam, EGR reinstallation, new Magnaflow cat, and even a ZZP custom dyno tune . Should be a fun summer in Arizona with EchoSSEi.

Oh yeah.... regarding the Arizona comment...... my wife and I are most likely moving to the Phoenix metro area in May. Maybe this Bonneville will make an appearance at WCBF..........

If you have a spare cam, remove the key and measure the key size and match it to what is available. Check the installed cam specs against the cam card specs.