The heads are off and im swapping the cam now. I understand that I need to crank #1 to tdc before I remove the timing cover, but I haven't yet. Can't I just turn the crank until the marks on the timing gears align, then swap the cam???

 

Make sure the cam dot is at 6:00 and the crank dot is at 12:00. That's put #6 at TDC and both #1 and #6 piston at the top of their travel. Then you're good to go.

Edit-Then install it at 6:00/12:00. Rotate the crank once to put both dots at 12:00, then you will be at #1 TDC.

Edit 2- Come to think of it, since you are doing heads, it's not really important where the dots are at if you remember to get the #1/#6 piston at the top of it's travel before putting on the heads. Then install it at 6:00/12:00. Rotate the crank once to put both dots at 12:00, then you will be at #1 TDC.

 

Huh?

 

Just line the crank dot and cam dot up "dot to dot" and you will be fine.....I belive the cam pin will be at close to 3 oclock.

 

If you want #1 TDC, the crank dot will be at 12:00 and cam dot will be at 12:00. Then you can start setting the valve lash at #1. That's why you would want to rotate the crank 1 full revolution (the crank rotates 1/2 the speed of the camshaft) when the crank dot is at 12:00 and cam dot is at 6:00.

Or if you want to start at #6 TDC, the crank dot will be at 12:00 and cam dot will be at 6:00. Makes no difference where you start but it does matter where you are at when proceeding to the next cylinder in the firing order when setting the next valve lash.

 

This subject gives me a headache everytime it is talked about.! I didnt put mine at TDC to remove the cam, just when i reinstalled the cam sprocket. BTW , if the dots are touching, that is TDC#6. if the dot is very top on the cam sprocket, that is TDC#1. Good luck

 

Thats all correct...I thought he just wanted to know how to get the cam in right. Once its installed you can simply adjust the valves of each cylinder one at a time without regaurd to which piston is a TDC with the following method.......

Pick a cylinder, any cylinder. Rotate the engine until the exhaust starts to open. Adjust the intake valve. Now rotate again until the intake valve just closes. Adjust the exhaust valve. Repeat for the other seven cylinders.

 

I get it, I get it! Dots touching, #6 compression stroke tdc. Turn crank one revolution (both dots at 12:00), #1 compression stroke tdc.

Thanks all. I haven't done this for about twenty years, so I appreciate the help.