Degreeing confirms cam timing after belt installation, adjustable gears, or machining. On VTEC engines, know which lobe you are measuring and the checking lift on the cam card.

Reasons to Degree#

• Verify adjustable cam gear marks
• Detect a jumped belt tooth
• Account for milled heads / thick head gaskets
• Validate a fresh cam install before first fire

Tools#

• Degree wheel and stiff pointer
• Dial indicator with solid base
• Positive piston stop (preferred for true TDC)
• Cam card or FSM timing figures
• Locked crank rotation method (breaker bar on crank bolt)

Locate True TDC#

1. Mount the degree wheel true to the crank.
2. Use a piston stop to average the two contact readings for true TDC - do not trust the balancer mark alone.
3. Set the pointer to zero at true TDC.

Measure and Adjust#

1. Mount the indicator on the prescribed interface (retainer, bucket, or lobe method consistent with your card).
2. Find max lift, then measure opening/closing or centerline at the card’s checking lift (often 0.050 in / 1.27 mm).
3. Compare intake and exhaust to the card.
4. Adjust cam gears; retighten; re-measure until within tolerance.
5. Mark belt and gear relationships once final.

Important

Numbers taken at the wrong checking lift are meaningless against the card.

VTEC Notes#

• Primary and secondary lobes differ; measure the lobe the card specifies.
• After large advance/duration changes, recheck piston-to-valve clearance.
• Ensure lash is set before final measurements if your method requires it.

Pass/Fail#

Rotate the engine by hand through multiple cycles before using the starter.