Before timing cams...

[97stanger]

While the heads are still off the car, should I find TDC of the black before putting the heads on and timing the cams? Or will I be fine putting the heads on first and doing all timing steps after the heads are on?

 

[reivaxtorres]

no, what you have to do is put the engine in "safe mode", which means all the pistons are below the deck. on the crank, the keyway NEEDS to be pointing at 6 oclock. when you do this, the engine is in safe mode, which means none of the valves will make contact with the piston even if you rotate the cams.

what i like to do is get the engine this way, then install the heads, then install the cams, then the chains, etc. when you install the cams, try to get the timing marks on the chain sprockets to to line up, or as close as you can get them, to: passangerside: 10 oclock position; drivers side: 2 oclock position.

 

[massacre]

While the heads are still off the car, should I find TDC of the black before putting the heads on and timing the cams? Or will I be fine putting the heads on first and doing all timing steps after the heads are on?

You can find TDC with the heads on by using a piston stop and degree wheel. In fact that's how every writeup I've ever read says to do it(Comp Cams, SHM, etc.).
Make sure the roller followers(rockers) are out of the heads and all of the valves will stay closed no matter where the crank is. This is how I've always done it, never a single problem:

Bolt heads to block(with followers removed), then bolt in cams. Point the keyways in the down position, attach timing chains in the appropriate manner(links)and sprockets. Turn the motor 1/4 turn clockwise, attach crank socket and degree wheel.

Then thread a piston stop into the #1 spark plug hole a little bit, not too deep. Turn the engine clockwise until the piston reaches the stop, record the number on the degree wheel. Then turn the motor in the opposite direction until it hits the piston stop again, record this number on the degree wheel. Then you want to position the degree wheel on the crank, so that the wheel reads the same number in both directions. One way to do that is to add the two #s together and then divide by two. Once you get it so that the number is the same in both directions, then you can remove the piston stop and put the motor to TDC on the wheel, this will be true TDC.
You don't have to even have to have the chains on for this, but it makes it easier because then you don't have to remove the degree wheel to put the chains on....

Any questions send PM

 

[DropTopPony]

Yeah safe mode FTW, dont risk contact of your new valves or scratching a piston.

 

[SRT Handz]

gotta put the motor in "Safe Mode".

http://www.modulardepot.com/articlesp.php?aid=32

 

[97stanger]

thanks for the info guys, i'll read up more before doing anything

 

[duff daddy]

gotta put the motor in "Safe Mode".

http://www.modulardepot.com/articlesp.php?aid=32

Is that how you put the comp cams in your NPI block, or wait did your NPI block not have the comp cams, I dont remember from everthing you have said....




Reguardless, listen to Massacre,hes degreeded more engines then most. If you put the heads on it doenst make a shit bit of difference where it is becase your heads wont have any followers in them, and when you degree the cam, you will install them after.

 

[97stanger]

which is why i put my heads on tonight!!! thanks again guys, buying my timing components in a few days and getting rolling on degreeing the cams! check out my build thread going on

 

[massacre]

You can find TDC with the heads on by using a piston stop and degree wheel. In fact that's how every writeup I've ever read says to do it(Comp Cams, SHM, etc.).
Make sure the roller followers(rockers) are out of the heads and all of the valves will stay closed no matter where the crank is. This is how I've always done it, never a single problem:

Bolt heads to block(with followers removed), then bolt in cams. Point the keyways in the down position, attach timing chains in the appropriate manner(links)and sprockets. [size=10pt]Turn the motor 1/4 turn clockwise[/size], attach crank socket and degree wheel.

Then thread a piston stop into the #1 spark plug hole a little bit, not too deep. Turn the engine clockwise until the piston reaches the stop, record the number on the degree wheel. Then turn the motor in the opposite direction until it hits the piston stop again, record this number on the degree wheel. Then you want to position the degree wheel on the crank, so that the wheel reads the same number in both directions. One way to do that is to add the two #s together and then divide by two. Once you get it so that the number is the same in both directions, then you can remove the piston stop and put the motor to TDC on the wheel, this will be true TDC.
You don't have to even have to have the chains on for this, but it makes it easier because then you don't have to remove the degree wheel to put the chains on....

Any questions send PM

If you look at the highlited part of my post, you can see that I did in fact put in "safe mode" as you guys are calling it by turning the crank 1/4 turn. It is not necessary with no followers in the heads is but a good habit to get into, just in case.

 

[duff daddy]

...if you dont say it in the interwebs term that they hear everyone else talk about, no one will understand that what you said is what everyone else after you said....

 

[vermilion]

selective reading.

 

[reivaxtorres]

selective reading ftw.


and when i posted my first reply, i just assumed the OP was just installing the stock cams on a stock engine. since im reading now that they are aftermarket cams, yes, follow what massacre says, he is right.


also, lol at Duffy's Handz comment. lol.

 

[junior897]

Thanks this has been informative. I was a little leary of the timing part when changing heads, but it looks pretty straight forward.