Hi, I just replaced a head gaskets on my 99 Ford E150 Van (V6 4.2L). When I removed the cylinder heads, the engine was not at TDC. After removing the heads I cleaned and serviced them. I also cleaned the mating surfaces on engine block and top of pistons (they had lots of carbon buildup). In the process I spun the crankshaft to be able to clean the top of all pistons. When I reinstalled the heads, the engine was at a different position from when the heads were removed. The engine is working but a little rough. I also get a P0302 code- misfire on cylinder 2. Is it bad to reinstall cylinder heads when the camshaft is in a different position (timing chain was not touched)? Is the code I'm geting related to the mistake? What should I do about the mistake?

 

I'm not too familiar with that engine so I have to ask... does it have an electronic distributor(DIS module) and coil packs or a distributor, and did you remove or change the DIS or distributor when doing the heads? If not then your problem is not related to your work because you didn't alter the cam and ignition timing, but if you did remove the DIS or distributor then you did create a problem and you need to set the motor at TDC on Cyl 1 and re-insert the DIS module or distributor so that it alligns correctly.