Which Cams should I use?

[Tx240grl]

Hey guys, I *was* rebuilding my '92 SE. I put SOHC pistons in, and had put in two 248 intake/exhaust cams. Ended up breaking one of the cam sprockets. And yes, I did cry.

Now I have two 232s and one 248. Any advice on what setup I should go for with the high compression pistons? Should I just use both 232s now, and forget the 248, or use the 248 w/ a 232? If I use the 248, should I put it on intake or exhaust? It's a delima in my garage.

Also, am having a really hard time turning the crank w/ the high compression pistons to get my chain to dead center. I mean it won't hardly budge. The engine on the floor, I can turn the crankshaft in with *no* problem. Any ideas on that? Do I have a SNAUFued crankshaft?Much thanks in advance from the Tx240grl!!

[s13sr20chris]

idealy i would put the 248 on the exhaust side. if you are have that much trouble turning the crank, pull the plugs and try again. if its still hard, it aint compression. you have valve interference. be very carefull with that. do a search to make sure you have the cams lined up properly as i think you have to put it a few teeth off to make it work(on your setup).

[Tx240grl]

had to take the head off though when the cam sheared, and it still won't turn. have to use my spare head too. ended up messing up two valves. even scratched the 4th piston a little.

[s13sr20chris]

so with the head off you still cant turn the crank? thats really bad. you need to go thought the bottom end and find that problem.

[dkdeleon68]

did you pre grease crank,pistons, etc.....before installing them?

[Tx240grl]

no... didn't know about that untill the other day. bought two bottles of the stuff friday along w/ a new head gasket. and i guess gonna try and take the block back out. was hoping to avoid that. getting it on the motor mounts wasn't fun.

[dkdeleon68]

remember when you are installing the cams that the intake cam is the one that the first lobe and the pin (or notch) are inline with each other.here is a diagram to help. also the diagram shows correct TDC cam install.

[NISTECH]

Umm this might be a dumb question but it needs to be asked, I am assuming the block is still in the car while you are trying to turn it and it is bloted to the trans???

Is the car by chance in gear and the ebrake set?

[Tx240grl]

yes. the block is in the car bolted up to the transmission. e-brake is set, but the car is in nuetral.

[NISTECH]

ok just checking. wanted to make sure something so simple wasent being over looked. it is definitly bad news if the crank wont trun with the head off. There is nothing to restrict it.

[EstoMax]

idealy i would put the 248 on the exhaust side. if you are have that much trouble turning the crank, pull the plugs and try again. if its still hard, it aint compression. you have valve interference. be very carefull with that. do a search to make sure you have the cams lined up properly as i think you have to put it a few teeth off to make it work(on your setup).

why would the bigger cam be better on the exhaust side?

a lot of people run the 248/232 setup who have gotten their hands on a 248 cam. according to them theres no low end loss and top end is almost as good as 248/248. (Which is what i got right now)

btw heres a thread at ka-t org about it.. with a dyno comparing 248/248 mod to 232/232 stock s14 setup

[s13sr20chris]

i dont know why but the exhaust cam seems to influence the top end more.

[Tx240grl]

I think so to I have two 243s on both my intake and exhaust on my 98, and the difference from just having the one 243 to having two is really nice.

[InsanityInc]

Chances are your cams are incorrectly phased. If you can't turn it by hand, DONT USE THE STARTER. Chances are, your valves are contacting the pistons. If I get my cams one tooth advanced, the valves will hit the pistons, and make it quite impossible to turn by hand at a certain point. Look at the actual locations of the lobes in their cycle, and wether or not anything is actually compressing with both valves closed when you can't turn it.