Engine Setting Cam Timing

stanggt88 · Oct 26, 2015

So I was in the process of a timing chain kit install on my 02 stang gt 4.6, while doing so, I accidentally turned cam with chain off, now it's off. So I went to reset, turned crank to where key is at 10:30, then 45° clockwise to the "safe zone", set the left cam and then right but for some reason the cams won't align properly, the marks are off a little. Also, when I set the cam marks to "close enough" to the diagram, I then go to set to Tdc and there's an interference. Why is this not aligning right? It was fine when I pulled the chain off. Am I doing this wrong? Also, do I need to put tension on the cam gear when lining up cam mark with mark on timing chain?

Three50won · Oct 27, 2015

I use 12 o'clock for safe zone. As far as turning the cam with the chain off, that is ok. You just shouldn't turn the crank with the chains off. But you can rotate those cams round and round as many times as you like and it wont throw anything off. I never once used TDC for anything because for some reason I could not get it right. I used keyway at 12 for everything. And when everything is set, you will have tension and then slack in the chains. That is normal. It will have that slack until the tensioners fill up with oil. And make sure that the timing chain is marked. If it isn't marked already, then mark it yourself. Mark one end and then the exact opposite end. You can do that if you lay the chain out on a table and mark the exact opposite ends. And then count the links to make sure they are exact opposites.

The timing marks on the cam sprockets might not always end up picture perfect. But just make sure that you use proper torque on the bolt and do not go higher than that. As long as the chains are correctly on the timing marks of the crank sprocket and the cam sprockets and there is tension (with some slack as you turn it) then you should be fine. You don't want it to be a lot of slop or slack. But you'll see it slack a bit when you turn the crank sprocket. Sorry if this is confusing but its one of those things where I can do it but it is more difficult to explain. I'll be doing a cam swap myself this weekend.

stanggt88 · Oct 27, 2015

Three50won said:
I use 12 o'clock for safe zone. As far as turning the cam with the chain off, that is ok. You just shouldn't turn the crank with the chains off. But you can rotate those cams round and round as many times as you like and it wont throw anything off. I never once used TDC for anything because for some reason I could not get it right. I used keyway at 12 for everything. And when everything is set, you will have tension and then slack in the chains. That is normal. It will have that slack until the tensioners fill up with oil. And make sure that the timing chain is marked. If it isn't marked already, then mark it yourself. Mark one end and then the exact opposite end. You can do that if you lay the chain out on a table and mark the exact opposite ends. And then count the links to make sure they are exact opposites.

The timing marks on the cam sprockets might not always end up picture perfect. But just make sure that you use proper torque on the bolt and do not go higher than that. As long as the chains are correctly on the timing marks of the crank sprocket and the cam sprockets and there is tension (with some slack as you turn it) then you should be fine. You don't want it to be a lot of slop or slack. But you'll see it slack a bit when you turn the crank sprocket. Sorry if this is confusing but its one of those things where I can do it but it is more difficult to explain. I'll be doing a cam swap myself this weekend.

I really appreciate the response. So basically your saying, set the crank key way to 12 o'clock , set the cams to pictured examples (RH cam time mark at roughly 12 o'clock when flush with head and LH at 11o'clock) and make sure crank time mark and cam time mark and chain marks all line up. Biggest question is, when first lining chain mark with crank mark, should I half to be putting tension on the cam to line up the cam mark with chain mark? Like I have to put a ratchet on the cam and turn it a bit just before it snaps over just to get it on the right mark. Is that normal??

Three50won · Nov 4, 2015

Hey there, sorry for the delay...work stuff, family stuff, car stuff, kinda been busy lately. How are things going with the cam install? Any progress? If so, what did you end up doing?

stanggt88 · Nov 4, 2015

Three50won said:
Hey there, sorry for the delay...work stuff, family stuff, car stuff, kinda been busy lately. How are things going with the cam install? Any progress? If so, what did you end up doing?

No problem, been quiet busy myself. Yes!! She's alive again!!!! So I basically just set crank keyway to 12 o'clock and the cam marks to roughly 9-11o'clock for RH when looking flush with head, and roughly 2-4 o'clock for LH when flush with head. Just snap cam over until it's in that vicinity. I then aligned timing mark on the new chain with the timing mark on crank, and then (starting with LH) pulled the chain up to the cam keeping it taught on side opposite the tensioner, put a ratchet on the cam and rotated clockwise until the timing mark on the cam match up with the mark on the chain all while still holding the cam. I slowly let go of the cam with the ratchet as the is chain pulled tight on that one side. Repeated process on RH. Tensions on opposite side for RH. Sorry for long description. Just wanted to post this for everyone else who needs help.

Three50won · Nov 4, 2015

Ok great. Unfortunately I did not get to start my cam swap. Hopefully if things go right I can get started today or tomorrow. The way you did it is exactly how I did mine back a few months ago and it is how I will do it once I get started. It isn't difficult at all!! Congrats man!!

stanggt88 · Nov 4, 2015

Three50won said:
Ok great. Unfortunately I did not get to start my cam swap. Hopefully if things go right I can get started today or tomorrow. The way you did it is exactly how I did mine back a few months ago and it is how I will do it once I get started. It isn't difficult at all!! Congrats man!!

Thanks!! And just like you said. Not difficult at all. Once you've done it once, u can do it a hundred times with no Google help. Lol. Good luck with your cam swap and keep us updated.

Engine Setting Cam Timing

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