I have the crank dot positioned perfectly pointed up some how. I can't move the cam gear to line up with the crank. I tried turning the bolts and it would only go so far infact I stripped the one bolt out of the 3. I don't know how else to turn it to match up. Is there a special way?

 

I finally got them lined up. I couldn't get the cam gear to line up with the chain on so I gotta work on that. My timing chain was off so that was probably why my car didn't run right the whole time.

 

Hindsight is 20/20. Always position the cam gear dot at the 6 O' clock position before removing it then all you have to do is line up the crank gear then slide the chain and gears on at the same time.

 

I already got them lined up I just can't get it to line up right with the chain

 

Ok hold the pieces together like in the attached picture, slide The crank gear on to the tip of the shaft first now while holding the cam gear up keeping the chain tight. Now with the other hand slide the crank gear toward the block with out engaging the crankshaft key. This should allow you to rotate the set to the line up position then push it on the rest of the way on both gears.
Otherwise I'll need a picture to see see the problem.

 

I never changed the crankshaft gear and I didn't want to. I don't have a tool for that or the money. Is there a way to do it with it on there? I have a picture where it's lined up without the chain

 

I got them to match up perfectly somehow but when I put the chain on it's a little off I can't get it perfect.

 

Sorry there's no slack in the chain, especially a new one to let you put it on without pulling the crank gear. Parts stores should let you borrow the tool you need, I know Advanced Auto, AutoZone, O'Rielly's, and other do.

 

So I have to pull off the crankshaft gear no matter what to get the chain and crankshaft gear on and match up right? I have a regular puller tool will that work?

 

In a word, yes.
Probably just be sure not to mess up the crankshaft bolt threads if the bolt on the puller isn't the same.

 

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku



you use a CRANK SOCKET to index the crank so the lower crank gear is at 12 oclock and the cam gear is at 6 oclock, and don,t for get to spin the engine one full revolution so the cam and crank gear are at 12 oclock before dropping in the distributor so the rotar points at the #1 cylinder or it will be 180 degrees out.

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/...php?f=50&t=902

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/....php?f=52&t=90
its false economy to do things cheaply if its very likely to result in less than ideal performance or problems with relieability.
the cam and crank gear are a matched set, and reuse of the old crank gear is NOT advised!
theres several totally differant types of chains and the gears and clearances are NOT always ,interchangeable ,... use of the wrong gear CAN cause excessive wear.
CLOYES makes TRUE ROLLER SETS that last longer and stretch less than the cheap imported link belt chains, that sell for $20 in the auto parts stores, its not un-common for the cheap sets to have the index off several degrees, and if you don,t degree in the cam its not un-common to have an engine run at less than its potential with the cam timing being off several degrees
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku

btw

its a good idea to mix some crane cams (MOLY) assembly lube and some marvel mystery oil in a tinfoil pan and soak the timing set in the mix for a few minutes before installing them, coating the surfaces tends to lower the tendency to wear as the moly forms a chemical layer that penetrates into the metals surface and protects it.

 

Did you strip the bolt head or the bolt threads?

If you stripped the threads, I wouldn't recommend running with an untightened fastener.

 

My friend grinded the bolt for me so now it works. Could it be a problem that when I bought the set of timing chain, cam gear, and crankshaft gear that I never changed the crankshaft gear? I figure maybe thats why I can't get it on

 

Yes, you have to change them together.

 

so the new crank gear might be smaller so it will fight? say I don't know where the new gear is whatsoever and there is no way I can find it

 

If you lost the gear, you buy a new set.

 

I am looking on autozone to see if I can buy the crankshaft gear that matches up with the camshaft gear. On the camshaft gear it says S732 which part number on this http://www.autozone.com/R,1157747/ve...ductDetail.htm says S732T so I guess that would be it. This says S797 http://www.autozone.com/selectedZip,.../selectZip.htm for the crankshaft gear. Does that match up?

 

Is it a Cloyes chain you're using?

 

There is no indication on the timing chain that it is, but I am pretty sure it is. The camshaft gear matches up with the one on the site I posted so it should be the replacement. Do you think that gear goes with it?

 

I still have the receipt I went on cloyes website and looked it up.
PN #S797 is correct which I don't see the difference at all