byrdman454

I keep wondering about the cam timing on this '85 so I thought I would ask for suggestions.

I know the outboard/exhaust cams are timed correctly since I used Porken's cam timing tool when I changed the belt. My question is about the intake cams. The PO had the heads re-done after a TB failure a long time ago, so the cams were definitely out at some point. I am wondering if there was an easy way to verify the intake cams are timed correctly without removing the valve covers. Would a compression test tell me anything? What effects would 1 or 2 teeth off on the intake cam do to performance/running? I need to decide if removing the cam covers is something I should go ahead and do or if I can verify this without it.

Thanks

syoo8

Mike, I don't have any knowledge that can help you, but PM me if you tackle this job- I'd like to watch.

SeanR

If the intake cam is off by a tooth on the chain you will know it. The car will run like complete ****. Don't ask me how I know this.

byrdman454

Sean, can you describe how it was running? Was the idle smooth? This car idles great and the power is smooth, it just seems a bit gutless compared to my S4. This '85 has a X-pipe and Porken's chips. It should be putting down power comparable to my S4. I guess I am looking for a little more out of it.

Maybe it has been a long time since my S4 had the 2.20 rear end. The change to 2.54 seemed to wake up that car on take off. I have a set of gears for this car, but was waiting to do that install until I pull the transmission and rebuild it.

i am running out of things to check on this S3. Just did a complete intake refresh. The MAF is the only thing left to swap.