How do I set cam timing on a 223 I-6
 

Hello, New to Forums in general.
Last week I came across your Forum looking for information on timing a cam for a 59 F-100. A couple of Threads came real close to the subject. So I joined in hopes someone can help me get this engine running properly. Here is what I have. It's 223 and the block casting numbers I am told are for a 61-64 eng. This is a chain drive cam. The cam was installed with the dots on the cam and crank gears lined up. A compresson test showed 15psi at best in the cylinders. I set the Nbr 1 piston to TDC and roated the cam until the exhaust valve was about to close and the the intake valve was starting to open. This got me 120psi on Nbr1 cyl, so I am at least in the ball park. Now at TDC on the comp stroke the dot on the crank is about 30 degrees past TDC and the cam dot is at about 230 degrees. There are no obvious marks on the block to say these are the right spots. I do not want to put everything in the engine compartment and find out it is maybe 1 tooth off and have to tear it back apart.
Thanks.

1st, :-wink let me welcome you to FTE. :-X25

Altho this forum's pretty specific to Slicks, there is a forum for your year also. There's also an engine forum that covers the 223 I-6 too. Having said all that let me see if I can help you with your question now . . . . ;)

Set #1 at TDC dead on and install the cam with the marks aligned and the dist at +6 degrees. If you don't think that's correct use a degree wheel and a dial indicator to verify what you have. . . .
Remember the cam rotates at i/2 the crank speed on a four stroke engine so at one point marks will be aligned correctly with crank at 12:00 & cam @ 6:00 or with crank up and cam down (start point with #1 @ dead zero TDC). The marks will align again @ 1 revolution which is 180 degrees out. Both marks will align, except both will be up or @ the 12:00 position.
Anyother way the cam is out of sync to the crank and everything is off so nothing will function right. . . . :-X22

If I got that wrong somebody will straighten me out here ! ! ! :rolleyes:

FBp

Haven't seen Pete wrong yet!

I have tried to attach the applicable page from my Ford manual without success. I made the mistake of aligning the marks on my 223....don't go there! You have to line the crank dot up, then count the chain links to the cam. I am sorry I can't cut and paste the pic, but it looks like you put the crank dot 90 degrees to the left (9:00 o'clock), then the cam dot goes at near that, but the important thing is to use chain links to properly place it. The cam dot is supposed to be 12 pins from the crank dot.

Thanks for the replies.
Pete, with nbr piston at top dead center the dot on the crank gear is is about 30 degrees past TDC. There is no way the Dots can be lined up. If Idisregard the TDC and set the crank gear and the cam gear with Dots directly across from each other I have almost no compression. The intake valve is just closing when the piston approaches TDC. Thanks for info about the engine forum.

Re54rider
Do I start with the crank at TDC with the crank gear dot past TDC, then count 12 pins across the top of the chain and put the cam dot there?

Thanks again guys.
Sorry I did not reply earlier but I was out of town.

The pic in my manual shows the crank dot at about 1 o'clock and the cam dot at close to the same. The important thing is to have the crank dot at a point aligned with one of the chain link pins and the cam dot is 12 pins away. There is only one position where you can have them 12 links apart on that side. If you give me your email address I can send the scanned pic of the page to you for clarification.

Man am I way I wrong on this one! :o

I apologize for any inconvenience or extra work my error has caused anybody. I also stand corrected here. I spoke out of turn with my specific explanation for the set up to install a cam timing gear set, in time, in a 223 I-6. I'm truly sorry for that mistake.

I am not a big I-6 Fan altho I have a F-150 beater w/ 4.9 I-6 EFI (aka 300 cid) & it's nothing like a 223. I've also had 200, 240 & 250 cid I-6 engines. Almost invariably I've either swapped them for a different engine or traded/ sold vehicles for something else.
I can't find anything in my OEM manuals about 223 I-6s since my 60s F-Series Service & Repair manuals vanished. :-X15

Again I apologize for the misinformation. I ask you for your forgiveness here, please.

I'll also tell you guys this crow is not very tasty . . . .

Mike Here's an example where I'm way wrong ! I should've not made my statement on this topic. I assumed & now made a posterior appendage out of myself. I'd wondered what that obnoxious buzzer sound meant?

re54drider thanx for pointing out my error & for straightening paintrx out, I'd really felt bad if he'd bent valves on account of my incorrect statements. :-X19

I will try harder to be right in the future or else sit down & shut up instead. :(

CIAO
FBp :o

FBp, that took a lot to admit. You are one person who I would not mind having behind me in a fight. I actually went to the trouble to buy the original service manual for my truck and I actually like my little 223 I-6 for its trouble-free service and low rpm torque output. Anyway, if we all learn from this that's what matters most. Paintrx, I hope you got your 223 straight, let me know if you need any more info, I have had mine since 1984. Fbp, thanks for your candor. I am not in this for anything other than to share information on our old trucks.

I'm having timing issues with my 223 also I haven't checked the timing gear yet but what mine is doing is when I set the timing in neutral or park it runs smooth revs nice but when I put it in any gear whether it's drive or reverse the idle drops to the point it stalls out can anyone help me out I'm lost