I am putting in my new cam and no matter what I do the timing mark on the cam gear is a 1\2 tooth forward or a 1\2 behind the mark on the . Is this normal. Can I make up the differerence in ignition timing and if I half to be off am I better off to have the mark a 1\2 tooth clockwise or counterclock wise of the mark? (clockwise when facing the gear from the front of the truck)

 

by the way this is for an '88 efi engine

 

Have you looked into offset spacers for the cam gear? They are little spacers or bushings actually that go between the hole in the cam gear and the dowel on the cam. You turn them to retard or advance the cam as need be, in your case they might be enough to make things line up. Are you using a new chain with new gears?

 

It should line up without bushings. Buy the way I have never found any bushings that fit a BB Ford.
When you put the bottom gear on, have the crankshaft turned a little to the left and the top gear a little to the right of lining up. Install the chain and lower gear. Turn the crankshaft and they should line up.
Let us know if it worked.

 

are you 100% sure you got the right parts?? just checking, most times i cant make parts fit right is because i ended up with the wrong one......also, double check with the original part to see if the crank or cam didnt move on ya.....just a thought..........

 

Another thought (from experience).I've seen the gears stamped wrong.