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How does my timing look?

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John Mark Dongon

Proven Member
94
5
Feb 7, 2019
Stockton, California
Did my timing for the first time and for some reason the alignment on the cams are slightly off on tdc. Am I good or is it off by a tooth?
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I think you're all wrong. It isn't lined up straight. Exhaust cam is retarded and intake is advanced. Look at the cam gears. They should look symmmetrical and they don't.
I am 100% sure this is wrong.
 
I think you're all wrong. It isn't lined up straight. Exhaust cam is retarded and intake is advanced. Look at the cam gears. They should look symmmetrical and they don't.
I am 100% sure this is wrong.
I'm kind of seeing what your saying here, BUT at the angle the pictures are taken I'm not sure either of us are right.
 
That's not a good idea:idontknow:
You can be up to two teeth off before any damage would occur generally, so a tooth wouldn't be an issue really, on my adjustable cam gears I run close to a tooth advanced or retarded on either cam on any given day, as long as the ignition timing is adjusted accordingly. OP, spin that engine over 6 times in the direction of normal travel with the spark plugs out and line it back up again and take a picture straight on of those cam cogs.
 
You can be up to two teeth off before any damage would occur generally, so a tooth wouldn't be an issue really, on my adjustable cam gears I run close to a tooth advanced or retarded on either cam on any given day, as long as the ignition timing is adjusted accordingly.
Ok...

Doesn't matter. I don't care what car it is, you don't just send it without verifying everything is in check.LOL

And why take the time to tighten up the tensioner when it's not right?
 
If the intake cam were leveled correctly with the plane of the head, the exhaust cam would be almost exactly one tooth retarded. The angle of the pic creates an illusion and yes it's hard to tell, which is why I factored that in with my reply. Either way, it's not right, and needs to be redone.
 
I was having that problem when using the tool to lock the cams in place, for some reason they dont mark it as top or T and just put an arrow and they dont say if the arrow points up or down or whatever they marked it as. Took like 4 times of doing the timing before I came on here and found that its really easy to flip it.

Its off though, and when you get it right there is no question if its right or not since everything is lined up with all the marks and each other. It looks like the balance/oil pump gear is off as well though it could be the angle, and if you dont have balance shafts then ignore that part of the comment. Seeing as how the other balance shaft belt isnt on Ill assume you dont have them installed. Its good practice to get it all lined up though.
 
Looks like you may be off a tooth, but it's honestly hard to tell with this picture. Post A better angle even with the cylinder head would be ideal.
 
Its off, the balance belt isnt on, so it has to come off anyway. Spin it around 6 times and make sure all 3 marks line up and make sure the balance shafts are in phase or you will have a vibration.
 
Sorry guys, the front engine mount isn't on so the engine is slanted upright and the angle I took the pic in is creating a illusion. I just very slightly rotated the crank and lines up now☺
Dude I'm telling you
Look at the gears. They should be identically rotating. You can see the exhaust cam looks a little retarded and the intake is a little advanced. I've done 100s of belts and that does not look right to me. I'd get a mirror and look again. I do believe that if I am correct the worst case scenario is just the motor runs like crap and you have to redo it anyway. Just my opinion.
 
I'm redoing my timing since I had my water pump leak. Anyways, without my belt on, the exhaust cam sits retarded.. I was wondering do I have to move both sprockets at the same time or do I just move the retard exhaust to have it alligned
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