Spent some time today researching camshaft timing/degreeing in general and Ford Escort 1.9L/2.0L SOC degreeing in particular. Here is what I've found so far.
GENERAL INFO: Four Common Methods of Degreeing a Camshaft.- Use an adjustable cam drive gear.
- ~$150 and up if available.
- Finest possible adjustments.
- Especially good if you intend to adjust for various (race) conditions or are tweaking.
- Use a crank shaft sprocket cut with multiple keyways.
- Most any machine shop can cut the extra keyways.
- Most high performance timing chain sets come with multiple keyways in the lower crank sprocket.
- Keyways are spaced at equal degree intervals.
- Possible adjustment is +-(number of keyways -1) degrees.
- Use use offset keys in the standard crankshaft sprocket keyway.
- Least expensive ~ $35-$45 for a set of 4.
- These will be engine specific. Not sure how hard they may be to find. Could have them machined from an oversize key. Probably less expensive than having keyways cut???
- Often used in conjunction with sprockets with multiple keyways.
- General recommendation seems to be not to use them for more than +-4 degrees as keystock becomes to thin - subject to premature failure.
- Eccentric camshaft bushing can be used with camshafts that use a dowel pin for indexing.
- Sources thus far have not discussed pros/cons other than camshaft must use dowel pin for indexing.
Two general write ups on degreeing a camshaft.
- Short, sweet and to the point.
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Degreeing In Your Camshaft means synchronizing the camshaft’s position with the crankshaft. A few degrees of misalignment can affect the engine’s operation dramatically. If there were no manufaturing tolerances, you would only need to line up the marks on the timing chain sprockets and the cam would be degreed, but with a group of components (the camshaft, crankshaft, timing chain, and sprockets) all with their own standards and tolerances that when installed, can stack up against you. You can never be sure that the cam is in it's correct position. Whenever possible, always degree in your cam.
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- From Crane Cames more info including special tools you might want but may not need?
Degreeing a camshaft aimed at MGA owners, but includes general info worth reading.
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So you decided that you just had to have that special camshaft, and maybe it was on sale for just a little more than a standard cam when you needed one. Then when it arrives and you get to read the instructions you discover that it needs a change of cam timing, and you are about bite the bullet and buy some more expensive parts, like an adjustable cam sprocket which might cost as much as the new cam. Before you do that, consider some less expensive alternatives.
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Ford Escort Specific Info:
Adjustable Cam Drive Gears appear to be out of stock.
A write up of
how to degree Escort 1.9L/2.0L SOC engines using the above out of stock adjustable gear.