camshaft help...

[mikesr86]

Whats up...I installed the head on my redtop sr20det yesterday and today I started to install everything else. I installed the hydraulic lifters, shims, and the rocker arms. When I went to install the camshafts I ran into a problem. The camshaft would not sit properly. When I tried to line up the dots on the camshaft sprocket the camshaft would lift up and not sit in place. When I was able to make the camshaft sit in place the dots on the sprockets were off. I know that the camshaft is supposed to be set at 10 o'clock and 12 o'clock. Am I doing something wrong? The engine was set at TDC when I removed the head. This is my first time doing this so sorry for all of the questions. Thanks

[mikesr86]

ok...I just realized somehow the crankshaft move a little to the right. I know for a fact the the block was at TDC when I was installing the head. Im not sure how I could have moved the crankshaft. Could this have caused my problem?

[Lobo240sx]

Yes, it is a possibility. If you left a ratchet on crank and moved it a little, who knows. Refer to this thread to help you out.

sr20det-head-install-timing-trouble-t534772.html

[mikesr86]

thanks for the reply...I did not leave the ratchet on the crankshaft....I am not sure how this happened...I was able to install my camshafts today and I will post a pic to show how they look tomorrow. I think my problem was that I was trying to install the cams first and then install the timing chain and it was not working. After I was able to install the timing chain first on the cam sprockets I was able to line everything up. Does this make sense to you? Its a little hard to explain. Also, my timing chain does not have the silver links. I forgot to mark the links when I removed the timing chain.

[Lobo240sx]

I get what you are saying. Heeheee. I tried that a long time ago, and yeah you have to put the chain on sprockets first.

I used a hacksaw blade to mark my chain this time around before I took it off.