4.6 sohc cam timing

[microflight]

I just read an article in MM&FF mag. about cam timing on the 4.6. They were saying that the cam timing is not matched between the left and right banks.
They say that by matching the cam timing between the two sides to the retarded side can in crease HP by 20+ HP.
Has any one ever done this and how did you go about it.
The mag. wrote about checking the compression and matching the high psi to the low by retarding the timing on the high side. Filing the key is one way.
Thanks
Jeff

[bsmith782]

took the words right out of my mouth, as soon as I read that article I noticed a little idle roughness in my car and wondered if that had anything do do with it. good call.

B

[microflight]

I still haven't gotten an answer if ford did this for a reason or not?

[Thomas91169]

i dont know how retarding timing would gain power.

[bsmith782]

I dont think it was retarding the timing for the sake of gaining hp, just to match the two sides of the engine togather for a more efficient power plant.

B

[microflight]

bsmith, you are correct it is not the advance or retard of the timing but the matching so that both sides are making the same power.

[Thomas91169]

if it was really more efficient, i doubt it would get overlooked at the factory.

gotta remember, there is a reason they have one side slightly advanced than the other. They dyno every little chance in the motor, so if they do one run at even then one guy goes "hey lets degree one bank more advanced and see what happens!" so obviously there is a method to their madness.

[SpectorV]

ford favors drivability and reliability over hp/tq numbers so they might have done it to make it more smooth.

[bsmith782]

It wasnt an issue out of the factory, just as the 4.6 ages.

B

[Thomas91169]

Quote: Originally Posted by bsmith782 It wasnt an issue out of the factory, just as the 4.6 ages. B

ah yeah that kinda changes everything.