First timing chain, Help!
 

I am getting ready to button my 94 pickup, 22re back up after replacing the timing chain. I was very careful to get to TDC and not move anything, but had to rotate the cam a touch when installing the new chain as described in the 4crawler write-up. Then, I rotated it back to take up the slack on the driver's side. Bright link are lined up right, cam and crank marks are where they should be. Got everything back on and turned the engine by hand. Everything feels like it did (resistance wise) before, but now I hear a little click everytime the crank turns over. Did I screw up the timing? Is that click a valve hitting the piston? Would everything still line up if I was off a tooth? My thoughts were that it could be the lack of oil lubricating the engine, since this project is now on its third day. I feel like I did everything right, but I am very paranoid about starting the engine. Any help is appreciated. I don't want to screw this up.

is it possible you used the wrong bolt in the middle of the oil pump? If too long it can hit the chain.

I drew a picture on cardboard and put the bolts in it one, by one as they came out. Same thing on the way back in, so I would say the chances of that are incredibly slim. I can go check it though, against the 4crawler diagram.

Nevermind, I guess that diagram doesn't have the lengths of the water pump bolts.

if your worried about a valve hitting, check em just like you would if you were to adjust them. tdc intake should show 4 loose rockers, tdc exhaust should show the other 4 loose rockers. if you have that, i would say that your good to go

I've been in your boat, did my first chain turned hg replace a couple years ago. I was soooo scarred to start it partly cause i didnt trust myself, mostly cause i had a dead battery, no charger, and had to push it out of my steep-ass garage to jump it knowing that if it didn't start, i would have no way to get it back inside. tense moment

sounds like you did plenty of research and did it right, congrats!

the cam is going to shift a little if you turn the crank because of the tension the valve springs put on it- the cam is going to resist turning when a cylinder is coming up to tdc but just before that happens, the exhaust valve on a cylinder will start opening and the spring pressure will balance things out and quickly cause the cam to jump forward. that's the click you hear.

no problems. time to button up and start it.

make sure not to over torque the valve cover,i believe it only 12 inch pounds,but check for sure...