Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Timing question

Old Apr 10, 2011 | 05:24 PM
  #1  
kevin316's Avatar
kevin316
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Timing question

I posted this in the engine forum but it takes a long time to get an answer there so I thought I would try here.

My son rebuilt a 460 for school and missed putting in a oil galley plug so I had to pull off the timing gear to get at it.

When I put it back on I am sure I lined the timing marks up at 12 o'clock on the crank and 6 o'clock on the cam. I got everything back together and I couldn't get it to start. I pulled the passenger side valve cover off to check and make sure that the valves on #1 were closed when I was at TDC. They are but I am 180 degrees out on the distributor. I don't think the engine was tuned over after getting the chain installed but unless I screwed up when I lined up the marks it must have been.

My question is, if I was out on the orientation of the marks (both at 12 o'clock or whatever) can I damage something by trying to start it?

If I am out 180 on the cam I should be able to tell by what valve opens when I rotate it, should I not?

Should I pull the timing cover to double check the marks?
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 08:13 PM
  #2  
nothercrash's Avatar
nothercrash
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 4
From: Norton, MA
I've been in that boat before, lots of times haha. I have never damaged anything, but because valves will be open (pushed down into the chambers) when pistons are up, in a way they were never designed to be, it is quite possible that they could meet. I think you would know though, veeery clearly, if that had happened. And ya, you should be able to tell exactly where you are in the stroke by a combination of watching the valves, and feeling for the piston through the spark plug hole with a piece of wire or a coat hanger or something.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 09:06 PM
  #3  
kevin316's Avatar
kevin316
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Grande Prairie, Alberta
thanks for the response. I gave it more thought and drew a picture then gave it more thought and it shouldn't make a difference. As long as the crank is TDC and cam is timed to it it shouldn't matter if the marks were at 12 o'clock or 6 o'clock.

I fired it up and it runs!
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2011 | 09:19 PM
  #4  
nothercrash's Avatar
nothercrash
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 4
From: Norton, MA
Ohhhhh ohh I think I see what you were saying. I thought you were saying basically you had lined up the 12 on one gear with the 6 on the other with both valves closed, and I couldn't tell if you were saying you had corrected that yet or not haha. OK though I get it now, so you were 180* degrees off on the cam but still straight up on the crank because it's 2 crank turns per 1 cam. I might get it....

I get the issue at least haha, and as long as you figured out the solution then we're good. I always find myself doing pictures for this type of stuff too, and holding my hands out. I'll be standing there for like minutes sometimes just sloooowly rotating my hands over eachother, just reinforcing my families belief that all the gas fumes are having an effect haha.

And I always looooove that feeling, you're all nervous, and you figure you've probably still got something wrong, and then that one time, you twist the key, and it just jumps right up to life!

Goodluck on the rest of the project, AleX
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
deputydog03
Modular V8 (4.6L, 5.4L)
32
Apr 9, 2016 12:06 AM
deputydog03
1997 - 2003 F150
2
Dec 11, 2013 01:45 PM
01ArizonaGator
Modular V8 (4.6L, 5.4L)
8
Apr 21, 2013 12:26 AM
kevin316
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
7
Apr 10, 2011 09:15 PM
kevin316
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
2
Apr 2, 2011 10:52 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:33 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE