348 Offset Factory Camshaft Markings?

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I don't think so.

You have to correctly understand the "cam locking procedure"

The 348 workshop states clearly on page B68:

- Turn the crank until the cam is in the required position (does not mention marks, so you have to find it), and LOCK IN PLACE while the belt is still streched

- Remove the pulley drive dowel

- Position the crank to the exact timing angle by turning the it

- Insert the dowel

No only the workshop manual states it, but the training in Maranello teaches them to proceed acordingly!

 

I was referring to how the cams are locked --- by putting pieces of material under the bearing caps. Some feel this can damage the caps by permanently distorting them.

 

Yes...never been my problem. If you don't like the technique then getting others to help hold all the parts (if you can rely on them) will bypass this step. Then you can get close to the assembly marks and then pull pins and align cogs, then repin and degree the motor.

Who knows how many degrees the cam timing needs to be off before you start seeing increase in smog emissions? 2 degrees? 4 degrees? I have no clue...

 

A TR that is found more than 3 degrees off and still has the Cats intact always gets a visual inspection to the underside of the rear bumper to see how many times it was repaired/reglassed and repainted. At 3 degrees off it has to be cheated through emissions.

How many CEL and Cat failures are the cause of this "quick fix" servicing technique on all the models? We will never know. These engine have cams designed for high RPM making them quite touchy when it comes to hanging a cat downstream. There is sound reasoning on why piston cooling jets were designed into these later engines. To make this kind of power / displacement and still have it able to support a Converter behind it all they need to be run Chernobyl lean and cool the piston to prevent melt down.... its all a package deal and has to be set correctly to work correctly.

How much variance is too much? It took 4 years of logging each set up for each model and re removing an engine to reset the timing when one limit was found. Think your OK because you dont have testing in your area? Keep the parts that come off handy!

 

OK well my euro 550 with marks darn near spot on timed with degree wheel and dial guage just blew these numbers at the TEST only smog station in the People Republic of Kalifornia and these guys are toughest in the nation. To my simple mind, these near zero emissions numbers are further proof that I'm not so bad a mechanic afterall.
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Not bad! Do you happen to have a record of what it blew last year?

Think those are tough? Try doing the same without the luxury of oxygen!