Timing Problems and No idea how to fix it.. Timing experts needed

[newdude1]

Kind of a long read but if you can please read it and help me out.

K well Im in the process of getting my car running and decide to check timing a while ago. I hook up a timing gun and its way off. So I loosen the CAS and adjust it to where its suppose to be at. Car runs works. So I pull the valve cover off and set it to TDC. While setting it to TDC lining up the cam gears I got this.

So I remove the timing chain tensioner and somehow it got it to line up perfectly with the cam gears. I have no idea how I did it but I got it. and now its like this.

Set the cas right and everything. But little did I know when setting timing with a gun you have to pull the tps and rev to 2k and hold it for a bit, which I didnt do. And now I can barely get my car to run at all.

I did a boost leak test and found two leaks and fixed them. So I know its not leaking anywhere in the piping.

My question is how do I undo what I did with the ignition timing? I know its in my timing now because I have been messing with it and its gotten worst. Mechanically the timing is perfect. Do I have to reset the ecu or something. Im at a complete lost here.

[I ask good questions]

ok, your first problem is that you dont have it at tdc. I see the dark chain link to the right of the exhaust gear in one picture so you have a stock chain. To get to tdc you need to crank the engine around by hand and get the two dark chain links to match up with the dots on the cam gears. This can take a while! When these line up you will need to crank it until your timing mark is second from the left. use this guide for more help. http://www.frsport.com/How-To-....html Let us know what you have.

[newdude1]

See I was told that your at tdc when the number 1 piston is up and both the intake and the exhaust cam are point out. Like this.

[sidetrack9]

I ask good questions is rite your not a tdc yet...keep on cranking until your cam and chain look exactly like the link from frsport. Once that's all set put your cas back in and do your timing...make sure it's at 15btdc.

[I ask good questions]

And about the no 1 piston being up... Thats right however it has to be up on the compression stroke otherwise you will be 180 degrees out. Keep cranking it around and you will find it. All of your marks will eventually line up. It took me ten minutes of hand cranking before i finally got mine last time! The motor must have just stopped right past it. So lets double check... Two dark links line up with the dots on the cam gears, the cams face away from each other, you are on the second mark from the left. Also the two dots on the cam gears should be at at about 10 and 12 o clock.

[I ask good questions]

Also i spy some after market cams. Who put them in and were the properly installed?

[newdude1]

Aftermarket cams? As far as I know they are stock s14sr cams.

[I ask good questions]

Yeah. In your last picture you posted is that not a brian crower part number marking at the front of the cam??

[newdude1]

So this is what I got. Looks like Im a tooth off on the exhaust side.

Do I keep rotating it or how do I fix this?

[boro drift]

Having the colored links lined up is irrelevant. When your crank pulley is pointing at zero, your #1 piston IS at tdc. Just be aware like 'I ask good questions' said, that your on the compression stroke. Then check to see if you cam marks are at 10 and 12.

As far as setting the timing, it can be a b****. I messed with mine for about an hour, setting and reseting the cas, and the idle, till it was right.

[newdude1]

So even though my intake cam lines up perfectly with the black chain link and my exhaust cam is off by a tooth it doesnt matter?

And how do you know you are one the compression stroke?

[newdude1]

See this is what I would have if I rotated my exhaust cam just a notch.zerothread?id=171141 The second picture of his cam and chain.

[Wretched]

No, you need to make sure the colored marks line up just to make sure the cams are timed up right. If you know they're correct then then the colored marks don't mean much, but since your having timing issues, you need to verify that the marks line up. It does take a while to get them there, though. Keep rotating them.

[boro drift]

So even though my intake cam lines up perfectly with the black chain link and my exhaust cam is off by a tooth it doesnt matter?

Correct. As long as the dots on the cam gears are where they should be, your fine. The colored links on the chain are to aid in installing the chain.

And how do you know you are one the compression stroke?

The valves will be closed, or you can use the hose from a compression tester and hold you finger over it. When the piston starts comming up, you will feel pressure blowing out of the hose.

[newdude1]

I pretty sure Im off a tooth. Arent you suppose to have 11 links between the dots? I only have ten. I think I have to adjust my exhaust cam on more link. Which would put it on the black link.

[boro drift]

I pretty sure Im off a tooth. Arent you suppose to have 11 links between the dots? I only have ten. I think I have to adjust my exhaust cam on more link. Which would put it on the black link.

I just reviewed your pics again and I agree. Rotate your ex cam one tooth, reset your timing, and let us know how it goes.

[I ask good questions]

I still say that your exhaust cam has BC... something written on it the front of the cam on the round part next to the gear... are you sure you or someone hasnt changed cams? Otherwise there should be no reason for it to have jumped time

[newdude1]

I checked it out and it has 53J which is a code for sr20 so Im still assuming there stock. I have no idea how it jumped. Maybe it happen when I took out the tensioner the first time. But I got it fixed and all lined up just waiting of the RTV to dry.