Timing mark on cam is not lining up
 

Hello, I have just attempted to put the cam gear back on upon reassembly of the cylinder head on our 617 turbo. I think I have made a huge mistake somewhere....The engine was put atdc and the cam was at the mark on the bearing tower. I now do not have that mark on the bearing tower lining up. Did I move the chain on the gear when I cut the zip ties to thread the chain through when we took the head off?

I think I have now royally screwed up every aspect of this project....and I thought I was being careful. I don't know if this thrust washer behind the cam makes a difference in which side faces the cam.

Before you take yourself outside for a damn good kicking...

Don't panic.

Take a deep breath.


1) Do not fit the rocker arms - if you have fitted them REMOVE them

2) Fit the bit for the SLS pump that wasn't fitted last time we communicated in one of your threads - you know that bit that needs the picture you've been waiting for from John ???...

...so that you will be ready to turn the crank!

3) Leave the chain as it is for now and ignore that pesky mark at the camshaft.

4) Refill the chain tensioner with oil - have you read about that in the FSM yet?

5) Fit the tensioner and the rest of the chain guides in place.


If you don't have the tensioner in place before you start worrying about camshaft timing you'll be getting really weird impressions of what is going on. It will seem like the chain is flopping all over the place and the cam is doing the can can...


Once you have removed the rocker arms from the engine you can turn the crank as many times as you like and the camshaft can do what ever it wants and no piston will hit a valve. At this stage it is safe to arse about with the cogs and the chain to your heart's content!

Thanks again Army. I have not installed the rocker arms yet as I was thinking I should put the cam gear in and get that timing chain on in case I have to turn the engine to get those rockers in. I just went back out and checked the timing gear and I had another set of marks on there that seem to line up better. The marks I was trying to use were the ones it looks like I had crossed out. (I should have erased them) I lined up some other faint marks and it seems to be good now....but I will need to do a double check before the rockers go in.

I had a hard time getting the head off with the sls gear and my clumbsy hands in the way so I had to quickly take the cam gear off until the head was out and must have put it to my old marks whatever they were.....must have been before someone clued me in about the notch on the washer and cam bearing tower. I zipp tied them back up that way so just assumed them to be correct. It has been awhile
I am just looking at that sls gear right now wondering about it, that next.

I did just notice that I may have an offset woodruff key on the camshaft....it does not come straight out of the groove but is rather...well....offset. Previous mechanic must have done it.

Yep I deserve an ass kicking for some of my mistakes....This is the first engine I have attempted to work on in this regard so it has been a learning experience. I am grateful once again for this site and all the members that have helped to bail me out of my inexperience.

Please cut yourself some slack - you are doing just fine.

You only have to get this bit right when the rocker arms are in place.

There is a reason why most people take their cars to a mechanic for this type of work. The first time you do it it can be pretty scary. Take your time - don't put the rocker arms in place until you are happy that they should go in.

Hello, Army...I read the fsm and on chain tensioner install (05-310) and it did'nt say anything about filing it with oil, but that does sound like a good idea. I do know that I could take it apart to clean it all now. Thanks

Thanks man, I have'nt wrecked anything major yet.(knock on wood)

Thousand appologies chapter 05-310 in the non turbo manual is different.

It looks like I'm in the middle of a learning moment - it looks like the turbo tensioner is different from the non turbo one.

Ignore me.

Carry on! Fine pair! Uhum...

Indeed - have a little faith. Take your time - you'll do just fine.

By the way - I'm off to bed now. So see you tomorrow? Same time same place?

Sorry Army I did not get back on here as it has been hectic lately getting all the kinks out of the wagon . It's back on the road and doing well....not a moment too soon though as the back up 420 sel has to have the chain and guides replaced.