I am trying to get this new timing chain on. Can anyone tell me where to set the timing marks for each sprocket to acheive top dead center in piston #1?? I really need your guys' help. I am running out of daylight.
Thanks to everyone who can help.

 

Not knowing what brand of timing chain you bought makes it kinda tough...in general, the timing marks should point directly at each other with piston #1 at TDC. This means the cam gear mark is at 6 o'clock (straight down), crank gear mark is at 12 o'clock (straight up).

Check the inside and outside of the gearset box, usually there are directions somewhere.

 

It is a cloyes 3 keyway double row chain. I took the old chain off, started using the gear puller to take the sprocket off of the crankshaft. All it does is turn the crank. Now my timing marks are off, and I am getting pretty frustrated with this whole project. Does anyone have any advice on using the crank gear puller? And also thoughts on how to get the timing marks set right again, since the crank turned without the cam turning???

 

My Cloyes 3-way set had instructions printed on the box, grab yours and check it out.

For removing the crank gear, be sure the puller is level and the arms are positioned straight...it's much harder to remove the gear crooked than straight off. Be **REALLY** sure the center "pusher" plate is flat on the crank snout and not digging into the balancer bolt threads, you'll trash them.

I smeared a little grease on the "pusher" plate and inside the cup the threaded shaft acts on also, helps to stop friction from adding work to the process and making the crank turn.

After removing the crank gear and installing the new one (10minutes in the oven at 300deg, they usually slide right on with no force at all) you can install the cam gear and chain which will allow you to rotate the crank and cam, bringing the cam gear into position with the right timing mark in the right position. You then remove the cam gear and chain, and rotate the crank so the corresponding timing mark (remember there are three timing marks) is in the right position. Reinstall the cam gear and chain, verify **AGAIN** that the two timing marks are positioned correctly (I use a ruler to ensure the center of the cam, the two timing marks, and the center of the crank are all in a straight line) and button 'er up.

 

you should have a dot, diamond and something else on the gears right? set the dots with the crank at 12:00, staight up and the cam at 6:00, straight down with the #1 piston at TDC after you get the gears and chain on spin it one time till both dots are straight up and #1 at TDC and set the rotor to point at #1 post on the distributor cap

 

Thanks a lot, I will try these suggestions. First I have to go to O'reilly's. I think they rented me a gear puller with no pusher plate. I will be back. Thanks again.

 

If you were using the puller with no end plate, I hope your balancer bolt threads in the crank are OK. If that threaded rod's end was mashing into them you may have damaged them.

I'd check the threads, visually or try threading the balancer bolt in now while things are apart and see where you are.

 

i got the crank sprocket off. the balancer bolt goes in about half way, then it stops. I think I have some thread shavings left in there. I am going to try and clean them out with a q-tip coated in thread lube.

should I really cook my crank sprocket for 10 min. @300 degrees??

I am not questioning your expertise, I just want to make sure I get this right.

Thanks a lot, that thread lube did make the job pretty easy.

brett

 

I read it in Hot Rod or some magazine years ago, been doing it ever since. The sprocket slides right on after heating with very little effort.

 

Just don't try to speed up the crank sprocket heating in the microwave....

 

Thanks for the tip Vader,

I thought about it, but then thought I could just wait ten minutes. Our microwave doesn't cook very fast anyway. In case anyone cares, I got the timing chain on, and lined the marks up right. Just wanted to thank you guys for your help. You saved me a lot of work.

 

Got a little carried away w/ the Loctite blue, Vader?



Just funnin' on ya.