Cam dilemmas

[haydenm315]

I'm trying my hardest to get these damn cams in correctly but there are a few problems I've run into. Number one... there are no marks, I repeate NO marks on the timing chains for lining up the intake and exhaust cams. Some people have said a dark link and others have said a white link. I see neither. Could somebody post a picture of tell me why I'm blind and can't see them. Since there are NO marks I need a cam position tool to make sure the cams are in the correct position. Where do I go about getting one of these?

 

[naval-avi8or]

As you will see from these pics it doesn't stand out like a sore thumb unless you know what your looking for. You maybe able to see the two timing marks one on the gear and one on the cam as well as the alignment of all three to the matting surface of the valve cover to head.

 

[projectSHO89]

naval,

Is that block sitting on the kitchen table or is it in the bathtub?

Steve

 

[naval-avi8or]

I treat my sho well. Yes it's in the kitchen, its on a blue plastic container.

 

[91SHOInterceptor]

just clean the chain well and you should be able to see that white link. I had a small mark on my chain on that link as well. I dont know if thats common though.

I have parts from 2 different engines sitting in my dining room. I think it drives my roommate nutz but there is no way these parts are going outside on the deck. wink

What do you fly Naval?

 

[projectSHO89]

If I tried bringing an engine into the house, my wife would throw it and me out the door

Steve

 

[rangerj]

Haydenm,
Once you find the "white" metal chain link, as opposed to "blackened" metal, do a sanity check for the correct orientation of the cams.

If the front cylinder is at top dead center (TDC), that is on a power stroke, then both valves will be closed and the heal of the cam lobes will be over the valves. Based upon the fireing order, where should the cam lobes be for the other cylinders? For example, if the second cylinder is on an exaust stroke, then the exaust valves must be open, and the cam lobes should be depressing the exaust valves.

If the third cylinder is on an intake stroke, then the intake valves should be open and the lobes should be pushing the valves open.

Depending on which head you are working on, the fireing order will tell you where the cam lobes should be, based upon where the valves should be.

PS to Steve. Bring the engine into the house and put a plant on it, or a doily, and tell your wife it is a decorative antique! rangerj

 

[haydenm315]

Wow... You guys are still alive Thanks for all the help. I'll look for that lighter link, but only if I find out my cams arent' aligned and need to take them out. The marks are only for cam alignment correct? They don't serve any other purpose?

 

[shojuan]

Some Berrymans B-12 should take care of the varnish on the chain and help you see it better.

Rick

 

[naval-avi8or]

Don't forget as I mentioned before there are two of the white links per chain, the other one is 180 deg out. The helms metioned having the links lined up but I also discovered that mine aren't.

 

[naval-avi8or]

91SHOInterceptor:

What do you fly Naval?

I fly the WAR HOOVER aka S-3B VIKING.

There are links to pics in my sig., they used to sho up but if you've been around the shoforum very long you'll know it hit or miss on if it's gonna work. Maybee they deleted that feature, even though they didn't take the option out of the my profile page.