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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 07:44 PM
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Timing chain question

How do I know I am not 180 degrees off when I install the timing chain?
 
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Old Jun 26, 2012 | 03:35 PM
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If you follow instructions, you simply cannot have it 180 off. The gears have dots which should be at 3 o'clock (pointing toward the oil pump side of the block). There should be 12 chain link pins between those dots.

While not absolutely necessary, it will be worthwhile to degree the cam if you have the tools available. Just because everything is lined up does not mean it is where it should be. Degreeing allows you to get it dead on but it will require an adjustable timing set and/or offset woodruf keys.
 
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Old Oct 12, 2012 | 11:23 PM
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Hi I need some help want to replace timing chain on 1956 272 engine according to shop manual crank and cam marks should be at 3 o'clock but mine crank 3 o'clock cam 9 o'clock mark on damper it's on tdc and distributor rotor pointing number 1 cylinder plug wire turned engine two more times but the same need help haven't done anything else since that day does anyone had had that problem need advise thanks
 
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Old Oct 13, 2012 | 01:40 AM
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y blockers

this is from Mummert's site:

'The marks on the Y-Block timing gears aim toward the oil filter side with 12 pins between them.'

once you get timing chain on then the 180 degree part is this:

take #1 side valve cover off and when valves are opening

that's the right crankshaft TDC to drop distributor in and point rotor at #1 cap wire.

you can move over a distributor tooth to have vacuum housing

facing where it won't hit anything when adjusting timing.

you can test it by laying #1 plug on block and putting thumb in sparkplug hole.

it should spark when you get compression pushing your thumb out.

use a remote starter like Actron.

you also static time engine later by getting on #1 TDC and rotate

distributor until it throws a spark and then back up a smidge and clamp it down.

have a nice day!


 
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Old Oct 13, 2012 | 09:04 PM
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Thanks will try that but I do not get it the engine runs and idle smooth why if the marks do not line up the runs good is that possible or I am doing something wrong valve cover is off put my finger into the plug hole #1 felt when piston went up and stopped turning engine we piston started to go down damper is on tdc mark and distributor rotor #1 plug but marks crank 3 o'clock cam 9 o'clock keep turning engine but I think they will never be In the same side confusing thanks
 
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Old Oct 14, 2012 | 12:20 AM
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Are you sure the rotor in pointing to #1 WIRE or just pointing to the #1 mark on the cap? Big difference. Somebody at some time in the past could have installed the distributor 180° off and then changed to plug wires around to match. Wouldn't be the first time.
Check to make sure both intake and exhaust valves are CLOSED when you are at TDC on the compression stroke. Sounds to me like your looking at it at TDC on the exhaust stroke.
If you turn the crank 360°, the cam will turn 180° and your marks will line up. Remember the cam turns half the speed of the crank. The piston will be at the top of it's stroke (TDC) 2 times for every 1 rotation of the cam.
Hope that clears up some of your confusion.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2012 | 06:55 PM
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roverman

i think i figured it out.

are you looking at the right marks on crank & camshaft sprockets?

here's link to both camshaft sprockets, light and heavy duty.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Re...et&Ntk=Keyword

they're are two kinds of timing chains.

one has links and the other has rollers (Heavy Duty).

what kind do you have?

have a nice day!
 
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Old Oct 14, 2012 | 07:01 PM
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y blockers

here are the two kinds of timing chains.

NAPA AUTO PARTS

i have the second type, the light duty made of little plates.

class, we learned something, '56 links'!

have a nice day!
 
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Old Oct 14, 2012 | 10:43 PM
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Thanks for ur help mi engine code is V I think light duty but timing chain is thick not sure what I did today is turned crank one revolution. Now marks ling up both at 3 o'clock but distributor rotor points #6 plug. Valves are close on #1 cilynder . I'm using .#1 pinted on cap but like u said could be wrong how yo know now where is 1 on cap if remove all wires
 
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Old Oct 14, 2012 | 10:53 PM
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roverman

when compression comes out of #1 spark plug hole,

go around past one TDC and sneak up on #1 TDC.

rotate gear with rotor on and then drop distributor in

when it's in a convenient position.

with rotor pointing at #1 plug wire.

check and see if that's a Y Block cap,

you might have to ignore the cast in #1 but

maybe not.

have a nice day!
 
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Old Oct 14, 2012 | 11:18 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Roverman
Thanks for ur help mi engine code is V I think light duty but timing chain is thick not sure what I did today is turned crank one revolution. Now marks ling up both at 3 o'clock but distributor rotor points #6 plug. Valves are close on #1 cilynder . I'm using .#1 pinted on cap but like u said could be wrong how yo know now where is 1 on cap if remove all wires
What??? Guess you skipped my post. That's exactly what I said yesterday...

"Are you sure the rotor in pointing to #1 WIRE or just pointing to the #1 mark on the cap? Big difference. Somebody at some time in the past could have installed the distributor 180° off and then changed to plug wires around to match. Wouldn't be the first time.
Check to make sure both intake and exhaust valves are CLOSED when you are at TDC on the compression stroke. Sounds to me like your looking at it at TDC on the exhaust stroke.
If you turn the crank 360°, the cam will turn 180° and your marks will line up. Remember the cam turns half the speed of the crank. The piston will be at the top of it's stroke (TDC) 2 times for every 1 rotation of the cam.
Hope that clears up some of your confusion."
 
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Old Oct 14, 2012 | 11:25 PM
  #12  
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From: Redondo Beach, CA
Originally Posted by Roverman
I'm using .#1 pinted on cap but like u said could be wrong how yo know now where is 1 on cap if remove all wires
OK, with #1 cylinder at TDC with both valves closed and timing chain marks in correct position, pull the distributor and turn the rotor 180° and drop it back in. Rotor should now be pointing to #1 on the cap. Then reposition the wires in the correct firing order starting with #1. Firing order is cast into intake manifold if you don't know what it is.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2012 | 11:41 PM
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Will do but what make me so confuse is the fact that the engine was running and idling smooth if. Distributor was off 180 is that possible thanks any way for ur time will. Rebuilt the engine any way so when I get it back just have to align marks and set distributor pointing #1 right
 
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Old Oct 14, 2012 | 11:53 PM
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It appears that your distributor was installed 180° out so instead of correcting their mistake and installing the distributor correctly they moved the wires 180° on the cap. So #1 mark on cap goes to #6 spark plug and #1 is directly across from it on the cap.
You can actually leave it that way if you wish, just be aware that when the rotor is pointing to #1 on the cap, #6 is actually being fired, not #1.
As long as you get the cam timing marks correct it will be OK.
Understand? If not, write back and I will try to straighten you out. Or PM me.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 01:01 AM
  #15  
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roverman

1 here's a link, see page 2 with pictures of timing chain.

http://www.y-blocksforever.com/forum...27752-3-1.aspx

2 the turning the rotor 180 degrees is for other makes

where distributor shaft has screwdriver like blade at bottom.

you can turn y block rotor 180 degrees though.

3 a Chilton or Haynes manual will have a section on

how to do this, even in a current manual that covers back to points.

like a new Haynes manual for F100's, it might have section on distributors.

put all this info together and it should work.

have a nice day!
 
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