Motor Assembly / Timing Belt

[GhostintheNight]

Okay, i've just spent the past 45 minutes or so going over threads on changing timing belts and what not...so this isn't a completely uneducated post....


Okay, here's the deal. I just changed my head gasket and to be honest with you, i just slid my timing belt off... Obviously, in the process, my cams moved because the motor wasn't at TDC when i ripped it apart. So, now obviously i want to set it all at TDC and then put it all back together. Now, from what i read, turning the crank with no belt on would mean epic fail for the valves... which makes sense. So my ultimate question is this. Would it be smart of me to take my head back off while i have nothing connected and crank the motor to TDC, then set my cams to TDC while off the block, then essentially put it all back together?... would that be generally effective given my situation? or would you guys recommend another coarse of action?

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

As long as you can make sure that your pistons down far enough in the bore you won't have any problems swinging your cams around to TDC. If at any time you are moving your crankshaft and you hit a spot where it feels like it won't go any further that means you are hitting the valves and you need to go the opposite direction. Once the cams are back at TDC you can then put the crank back at TDC. Line up your oil pump and you'll be good to go.

 

[GhostintheNight]

come to think of it... as far as i remember, my pistons were recessed a bit... so just set the cams to TDC by the timing marks on the cam gears, then set the pistons to TDC by the timing marks on the crank / whatever... then that should do it? (of course making sure everything else is set correctly)

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Yes.

 

[GhostintheNight]

awesome! much thanks!