I just finished getting my timing cover and a new head gasket in. Everything is was going well and I just didn't think to check. But now that its time to put the cam sprocket back on the cam the guide pin is reversed its reversed. The guide pin for the cam is pointing down, and the sprocket it point up.

The discoloured links are both where there are supposed to be on the cam and crank sproket.



I never turned the cam or crank indepedenent of each other.

Bleh, what can I do, i had to replace the head gasket last time I tried to put the timing chain cover back on, is there a way to rotate things without pulling the engine apart again?

Thanks.

I can post pictures if my description dosent make sense.

 

well here's the deal

it's obvious that the cam is 180 degree off

now, assuming the lower end is at TDC, you're not going to be able to just spin the cam over, cause the valves are going to contact the #1 and/or #4 piston

IMO, the only way I can think of to SAFELY fix it, is to put a socket and ratchet on the crank pulley and rotate the crank ONLY 90 degree either way from TDC. This will line all 4 pistons up half way through their stroke, and will be well clear of any valves

THEN, turn your cam 180 degrees so the alignment dowel is on the top

THEN turn your crank back the opposite way you just turned it, and back to TDC, and then you should be good to go to slap the sprocket on!

 

Thank you superbleeder, I just spent 2 hours last night reading though your rebuild thread start to finish. That was amazingly helpful as was your response now.

Thank you!

 

no prob, glad I could help!

 

Awesome that worked. Ran into another issue though the chain tensioner is doing its job and tensioning the chain well enough to not have enough slack to get the sprocket on the cam. Im trying to find something to compress the tensioner from the top hole but not sure if there will be enough leverage to compress it.

 

Put a long screwdriver or other leverage tool through the top hole on the timing gear and put the end of it on top of the cam bearing or so. Then it is force and leverage from there. Worked for me several times so far. Getting something in to compress the tensioner is usually not working so well.

 

another method (which is what I did) is just pull up firmly on the sprocket with just you hand, and rotate the crank back and forth about an 8th of a turn a few times, and it'll usually suck the tensioner in enought and get things lined up

 

I was able to get something in there to relieve the tension, bit pain though. Hopefully there isnt a next time but if there is I will know what to look for.

Now I just need to get the tranny back on my new clutch and see if this puppy runs!

Thanks again.

 

Thanks, iamsuperbleeder. You just pulled my a## out of the fire.