Systems and methods are provided for operating an internal combustion engine including a variable cam timing (VCT) mechanism in cooperation with a plurality of deactivatable cylinders, each cylinder with a plurality of cylinder valves. One example method comprises, operating at a first cylinder valve timing before a transition of reactivating deactivated cylinders, and, before the transition, advancing cylinder valve timing from the first valve timing, where after the transition the cylinder valve timing remains at a second valve timing, the second valve timing advanced relative to the first valve timing.