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Timing Spot on or not?

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Hakmak

15+ Year Contributor
173
5
Aug 28, 2007
Brooklyn, New_York
So I finally got a chance to check the timing and at first it look like I may be off by a tooth ( just by looking at the lower cover and harmonic balancer). But then I took that off to look at the plate mark and everything look dead on. I took some pic so I can have some more eyes on it. So basically the crank marks and Cam marks are spot on but the lower timing cover look slightly off but I know you guys are going to tell me that the important marks or dead on and that what matters but I just want to be sure before I check this off the list and bolt everything back up.
 

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Have you put a long screwdriver down the #1 cylinder just to be 100% sure what TDC is? Idk, maybe i'm wrong, but that is a guaranteed way to see if your crank is at TDC. My harmonic damper has the marking worn off or something so when i lined up mine i just used the screwdriver method.
 
Yea I used a screw driver and it seems like its exactly in the middle before it starts going down again. I was more concerned about the marking on the plate and the opposite the marking on the Timing cover and why dos it seem like the timing cover has it wrong.
 
What do you mean the timing cover has it wrong? That looks perfect? Although the crank pulley could be put on in four different orientations if the dowel pin is missing on the end of the crank timing belt gear so thats not the best way to verify timing. Its good that you used a screwdriver to judge that the cams were lined up with the #1 piston though so it would appear you are in the clear.

The plastic timing cover is kind of confusing for a lot of people. The first few lines are for -10* and -5* then the last mark, which is what your pulley is currently lined up with, is TDC. It may just be the pic, but it almost looks like your cover got melted a bit, the numbers, lines, and lettering is usually very legible and straight. Regardless, looks GTG...
 
The cam sprocket marks must not only align with each other but also with the head surface. When all sprockets are on their marks, it helps to place a straight edge horizontally across the center of the cam shaft sprocket attaching bolts. Then you can just align the cam sprocket marks with the ruler.
 
What do you mean the timing cover has it wrong? That looks perfect? Although the crank pulley could be put on in four different orientations if the dowel pin is missing on the end of the crank timing belt gear so thats not the best way to verify timing. Its good that you used a screwdriver to judge that the cams were lined up with the #1 piston though so it would appear you are in the clear.

The plastic timing cover is kind of confusing for a lot of people. The first few lines are for -10* and -5* then the last mark, which is what your pulley is currently lined up with, is TDC. It may just be the pic, but it almost looks like your cover got melted a bit, the numbers, lines, and lettering is usually very legible and straight. Regardless, looks GTG...

Its just that the balancer notch looks like its a bit past the TDC line on the plastic cover. But everything else looks golden. I just wanted to make sure because I'm battling an PITA idle issue that I just cant get a handle on so I decided to check timing to rule that out.

The cam sprocket marks must not only align with each other but also with the head surface. When all sprockets are on their marks, it helps to place a straight edge horizontally across the center of the cam shaft sprocket attaching bolts. Then you can just align the cam sprocket marks with the ruler.

This what I use for the CAMs, never looked back since!

http://www.jayracing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=213
 

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Yea its pretty sweet. I never had to second guess timing after using it until now because of idle and still it still holds up. Thanks guys. This thing is killing me I was actually hoping it was my timing but I gotta keep looking. I also just slapped on a newly rebuilt TB that I'm hoping is the issue.
 
It is possible that the balancer moved a bit due to age the outer pully is seperated by a piece of rubber when it dries out and is old it tends to cause the marks to be out

Best way is to check the crank pully marks with the cam marks lined up its 100% no guess work it's either perfect or its out of time
 
You also have to make sure that the dowel pins on the cam sprockets are facing up . To align the balance shaft you have to remove the bolt on the back side of the block and stick a fillips screwdriver in there . You turn the balance shaft sprocket while feeling with the screwdriver to see when it goes in further .
 
You also have to make sure that the dowel pins on the cam sprockets are facing up . To align the balance shaft you have to remove the bolt on the back side of the block and stick a fillips screwdriver in there . You turn the balance shaft sprocket while feeling with the screwdriver to see when it goes in further .

Yea I removed the balance shafts and the dowel pins are pointing up. Thanks for your input guys. I think I'll chuck this up to being done. Time to move on the point of failure the TB. I just put a new one in but haven't started up nor do a BLT yet. I'll do that next.
 
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