I'm installin a used cam and lifters in a 2.8 that has been "turned over" and have a broken compression gauge. The manual says that with the cam and crank sprocket dots aligned and the #1 and #4 cyl up,the #4 cyl is in the firing position. Is that right or I'm I misreading it?

 

Set the crank pulley on the TDC mark and make sure the distributor is pointed toward #4.
TDC can be on #1 or #4 depending on whether is 360* off
Basically you want the valves to be closed on the #4 at TDC- pull your valve cover if the distributor is moved or not installed.

 

Yes,thats what I thought. My shop manual gives, the lifter adj. from #1 at tdc,so by inserting my finger in the #1 cyl and turning the crank,I GOT #1 on the comp. stroke. When I look at the sprockets, the dot on the cam sprocket is at the top and so is the crank dot,instead of the two dots being together as it shows in the manual. This is a used aftermarket timing gear set and I no longer have the instructions.Could it be that on some of the after market sets both cam and crank spocket dots are on top?

 

I looked at the shop manual again and had a moment of clarity. It showed the sprocket dots in both positions,with dots together[#4 at tdc] and with both dots up[#1 at tdc]. Thanks for the help,I 'll start ajd. the lifters tomorrow.

 

Just to double check...the lifters ARE indexed with the cam right? As in, you know exactly where each lifter goes? If not...buy new ones. Used lifters and cams take in wear patterns to eachother...I believe the cam takes a wear pattern to the lifters, not the other way around...I could be wrong....BUT if you put used lifters somewhere they weren't originally, if I'm not mistaken, they will eat your cam right up.

 

You sir.... are correct

Cams and lifters must always be replaced together. Even if the cam was reground (which is odd.. that'd drop the entire duration/lift of the cam) the lifters will be worn in relation to how the cam was. It'll prolly eat it up, within about 5k miles.

I'd get a new set, if I were you!

 

Yes,the lifters were keep on their proper lobes. The problem was that I had my head up my *ss and didn't relize that the single diagram was showing the sprockets dots at both #1 and # 4 positions. Having re-checked I was happy to find that I got it right the first time. Thanks for the help!