indicator range
 

Hi, what range dial indicator should I use for setting valve timing?Thanks,T.C.

Let's assume a camshaft had a lift of 12.7 mm (1/2 inch), you should use a indicator with at least twice that amount 25.4 mm (1 inch).

About ANY one (dial indicator) I have ever seen will have that much travel (and more).

I've never timed anything but CIS and Motronic cams and a 1/2" dial indicator works fine for those motors.
Look at the setting distance for your particular cam and you'll know what size indicator you need. On a 3.0/3.2/3.6 it's much less than 2mm.

-Chris

Why would you need one with twice the amount of lift possible?

yep Waynes book says you need more than the timing specs (in my case it was .02" (less actaully) AKA 4.5 mm

Well, you really don't need much more lift than the timing spec. You aren't measuring max valve lift, just lift at overlap, and that's not much at all no matter what cam you use. It doesn't matter if the indicator tip quits descending because it has reached that end of its travel.

What is more important is that the tip is long enough, because the fixture holds the indicator a fair way up from the valve retainer and you need reach. But you can buy an extender as long as your indicator has a removeable tip.

Walt Fricke