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How to Use a Degree Wheel on a Go-Kart Engine

Go-kart drivers from five to 65 years of age compete in different types of races, such as sprint, oval track and road races. Many racers involve their families in the experience. Hobbyists participate in go-kart racing, as do people who want to break into the higher-level motor sports, such as Formula One or NASCAR racing. Go-kart racers might construct or maintain their kart themselves, and learn basic mechanics in the process. One mechanical task they can learn is how to degree a camshaft to make sure it is aligned correctly for maximum performance and compliance with rules.

Things You'll Need

Degree wheel
Piston stop
Dial indicator

Instructions

- 1
  Begin with an installed camshaft that has both valves closed. Turn the shaft to align the cam gear timing mark and the crank gear timing mark.
- 2
  Install the dial indicator on the shaft to check the height of the lift on the intake valve. For the best accuracy, install a new valve when degreeing your camshaft to eliminate errors resulting from a valve that is wearing out.
- 3
  Move the crankshaft to top dead center. Install the degree wheel onto the crankshaft. Add the degree wheel's pointer, and point it to the zero on the degree wheel. Line up the zero position on the dial indicator so that it is directly under the dial indicator's needle.
- 4
  Face the flywheel side of the engine and turn the crankshaft clockwise, watching the dial indicator. When it reaches maximum lift, reset the indicator needle to zero. Then rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise to the ".100 inch" setting on the dial indicator.
- 5
  Rotate the crankshaft clockwise. When the dial indicator reads .050, record the reading on the degree wheel. Continue rotating the shaft clockwise as the indicator goes up to maximum lift then back down to .050 inch. At this point, take another reading from the degree wheel.
- 6
  Add the two degree wheel readings together, then divide that number by two. This gives you the intake centerline for your crankshaft arrangement. For example, if the first reading is 154 and the second is 48, add the two to get 202, then divide by two to get 101.
- 7
  Compare this reading to the intake centerline listed on the specification sheet that came with the crankshaft. If the two numbers are not the same, be sure you completed the process correctly, recheck the wheel readings and make sure the crankshaft is correctly installed.

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