So I got a new hydraulic cam plate and cams for my 2002 FLHT. I'm already to put it back together and I realized in my haste I did not line up the timing marks on the cam gears by rotating the engine before I pulled it apart. That tells me that the crank and pistons will not be in the right time if I just put the cams and plate in right as the engine sits. To correct this I am guessing I can put the front cylinder at TDC and go from there but then I don't know if I'm at TDC of the compression or exhaust stroke. I am a bit confused.
So ya'll tell me. Am I freaking out over nothing or what? I think I am just so excited to get my new cams I'm loosing it. Any suggestions?

 

Put the piston at TDC. When all the timing marks are aligned, the base circle of the cams should be up, showing you're on the compression stroke. Make sense?

 

Take the spark plug out and put a drinking straw in the hole when it goes up and blows it out it's in compression stroke.

 

You can't do that if the cams and pushrods aren't installed. And simply putting a straw in the hole won't show compression. The hole itself needs to be sealed off. The piston will push a straw out regardless of stroke......

 

I think since the gears or sprockets will only go one way one the shafts it does not matter. Just line up the marks correctly. They will only fit on the shafts one way won't they? Cuda is correct in that they are two up strokes (compression and pushing out exhaust gas) 4 stroke. Hope you know other two.

 

Correct. I just went out and checked my old set-up to confirm.

 

Damn it Jim, I'm just a country doctor....

 

Thank for the reply guys!
I'm an idiot. I forgot that the crank and crank gear are "keyed" with a flat spot so there is no way to screw it up. Duh

 

there are ways.. haha