I have gotten my old cam out and am about to stick my F1 cam in and I was wondering how many of you degree the cam. I know with gas motors you are always suppose to but it seems like I never read anything about degreeing a cam for a diesel. If you do degree it do you just use offset keyways if you need to adjust it? TIA

 

Degreeing is a great idea, but honestly not needed in this application.

Degreeing cams in the old days of gassers was to make dang sure the grinder did not make a mistake and there was more slop in the timing chain set-ups, etc. The Helix cams are all CNC ground and have the same profile from cam to cam. Also, the gear set up has much less slop. The Cummins blocks are very accurate block to block as well.

 

Don is right.
I doubt if you would see any difference in performance with a couple of degrees either way on a turbo charged diesel.
I have in the past found stock chevy 350 (gas) engines with 10 degrees of error on the cam. Also seen 6-8 degrees error between cylinder timing.
Advancing a cam generally helps low rpm response. This is assuming it isn't already too far advanced!!!
As far as how to adjust it if found to be wrong, it depends on whether it is a bolt on or pressed on gear.