Timing Chain Off...

[FTRS14.5]

Hey,I'm in the process of putting my motor back together, but for some reason, the links on the chain for the sprockets are off 1. It's at TDC and I followed the FSM and lined up the cams with the intake being around 10 and the exhaust around 12. I made sure to match the crank marking correctly and also made sure that the chain never dropped while I was putting the head back on. One thing I did notice is that my exhaust cam was closer to 11:30 than 12. I really don't want to pull the head off again (I just installed a new headgasket too). I did search and found some people are just moving links around to get it right so if anyone has any suggestions, please pass them forward. Pics of how things are suppose to be lined will help greatly. Thanks in advance!!!

[robbbby]

Only way I can think without pulling the front cover is to drop both oil pans so you can get to the crank sproket.

[180fan]

you must drop the upper oil pan to get the front cover off. You don't have to pull the head. I wouldn't just move links around. That's taking a potentially expensive gamble.

[FTRS14.5]

Thanks for the info. If I dropped the pans and pulled the front cover w/o removing the head, wouldn't the seal the headgasket is creating get messed up since part of the headgasket does cover the top of the front cover? Or does that part really matter? More than likely, I'll be doing this tonight. Thanks again!!!

[SpeedRacer1]

Im a little confused still. Let me know if you still need help later this week, I can try to swing by.

[FTRS14.5]

Hey, thanks!! I tried to PM on NWN but your don't accept them anymore. I made a post with a more detailed explantion of whats going on the NWN Board, so if you wanna check that out to get a better idea. Thanks and I'll give you a call sometime this week

[GTS4-R]

here is how to VERIFY that your cams are properly aligned.

1) set engine to TDC compression (cam lobes facing away from each other)

2) look at exhaust cam. find the DOT stamped on the EX cam gear. the tooth that corresponds to that dot that is tooth #1.

3) start counting teeth clockwise from that tooth to the top surface of the head (valve cover gasket sealing surface)

4) the top of the head should be inbetween tooth #8 and tooth #9 (remember the tooth at the dot IS #1)

5) leave motor at TDC. find Dot on Intake Cam Gear. this is #1 tooth again.

6) count teeth COUTER CLOCKWISE to top surgace of head.

7) Top surface of head should be almost exactly tooth #5.

8) as a verification after you have done all that count the # of PINS in the chain between the 2 dots ont he cam gears. there should be 20 PINS.