1984 500 SEL ... top end rebuild along with new chain and rails.... in re-assembly manual seems unclear on what marks to use... see picture... apologies if answered in previous thread but search did not turn up specific V-8 ... the two marks ar same on both towers and my understanding is the drivers side [US] is 7 degrees off when the passenger side is right on and the crank off course is at TDC... but want to be crystal clear on the marks for obvious reasons... the CD manual/ AllData / Chiltons do not say what mark.

Thanks in advance. I really appreciate this forum.

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dloveless

1984 500 SEL [131K]-
1991 GMC Sierra 4X4 XC [162K]- War Pony.
2004 Jeep Liberty Limited [8k]- wife's sled- Belle.

First of all the mark that is in the closest proximity to the mark on the cam is the one to use. Second of all I don't know anything about 7 degrees, because with a new chain and no machining of the head both cams should be on the mark when the crank is at zero. If the head was machined, the cams can be adjusted with offset keys. Third of all I think you have the wrong cam bolted to the head. Unless it is a camera angle thing, it looks like the cam gear doesn't line up with the chain rail. If that is a U.S. version, I'll look up the cam #s that are stamped on the back of the cam.

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

The notch in the washer should line up with the lower mark in your posted picture.

Looks to be a little less than a 1/4 turn off mark right now.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

thanks Autozen

and thanks Mike


sure do appreciate it...

__________________
dloveless

1984 500 SEL [131K]-
1991 GMC Sierra 4X4 XC [162K]- War Pony.
2004 Jeep Liberty Limited [8k]- wife's sled- Belle.

Autozen- the camera angle was bad... I apologize... the cam sprocket does align with the rail when looked at straight on.

attached is another pic of drivers(US) side head... same marks but cam tower is reversed... confirmed by prior to dismantle photos that was the way they were. See how the mark is now opposite of the cam sprocket.. still use the same one? Anxiety caused by the reversal of the marks and the other mark being there. My belief is it is the one right by the oiler saddle for both sides but ?

Thanks again.

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dloveless

1984 500 SEL [131K]-
1991 GMC Sierra 4X4 XC [162K]- War Pony.
2004 Jeep Liberty Limited [8k]- wife's sled- Belle.

Ok Got ya on the camera angle. Like Mike said use the line closest to the groove in the washer. The 2 digits on the back of the cams should be 08 for left bank ( driver's side ) and 09 right bank. Once you have the chain installed with all 3 marks lined up and tensioner in, you should always rotate the engine over a couple of times with a socket on the crank pulley. Also after you torque down the heads, make sure you can rotate both cams easily by hand. If you have a warped cam, this is when you'll find it.

Peter

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

Since they use the same tower for either head, the towers have two marks. There is always one mark closer to the sprocket, which will be right up next to the notch on the washer.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Autozen--- cam #s are 08 and 09- thanks for confirming that. this weekend before reading the last several posts [no internet at home] tried to use same marks [opposite side of tower when installed] and gently, gently, gently rotated [using crank] and felt some resistance... so ended up with plan B .. which was exactly what you and Mike outlined in last two posts. We left the rockers out [ kept same order of course] and after lining up on cam tower marks closest to cam sprocket then we put #1 cylinder's rockers in, rotated twice then # 5 in rotated twice...and so forth through all 8 - in firing order - using a valve spring compresssor and watching the keepers when compressing the valve springs-- everthing lines up perfectly and rotates smoothly now.

all torqued down now and moving on to intake and exhaust re-assembly.

One other question- the small M8 bolts that go through the heads at the front and into the timing cover- my specs claim a 50NM torque but seems way too much for such a small bolt going through aluminum into aluminum. My specs good? Right now they are at 25NM - there is no tightening order on those- so can give them the full 50NM but just does not seem right.

Thanks again Autozen and MikeTangas!!!

These are fascinating engines.

__________________
dloveless

1984 500 SEL [131K]-
1991 GMC Sierra 4X4 XC [162K]- War Pony.
2004 Jeep Liberty Limited [8k]- wife's sled- Belle.