CAM/Crank timing
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 11
From: Southern Nevada (Pahrump)
Yeah, I saw the note.
Please explain how it is possible to have the cams properly timed and not have the outer dots lined up. You cannot adjust the outer sprockets; they will only go on one way. The only way it is possible to adjust the outer sprockets is if the rear cam outer sprocket is not indexed to the rear inner cam. The indexing is by design to prevent "screwing the pooch". There may be aftermarket cams that are not indexed; I haven't installed any that are not but anything is possible.
Please explain how it is possible to have the cams properly timed and not have the outer dots lined up. You cannot adjust the outer sprockets; they will only go on one way. The only way it is possible to adjust the outer sprockets is if the rear cam outer sprocket is not indexed to the rear inner cam. The indexing is by design to prevent "screwing the pooch". There may be aftermarket cams that are not indexed; I haven't installed any that are not but anything is possible.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,776
Likes: 2,607
From: san antonio
The disconnect just hit me. I make it a point not to rotate the crank when changing cams; there is no reason to rotate it. If, for some reason the crank is rotated, of course the outer dots won't line up but because of the indexing, all that means is that the crank has been rotated and is out of position. 
I thought that the obvious need not be stated; apologies for not stating what I thought was obvious. I am just used to doing it my way and have done it so many times, I assumed and I shouldn't have.
I thought that the obvious need not be stated; apologies for not stating what I thought was obvious. I am just used to doing it my way and have done it so many times, I assumed and I shouldn't have.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 11
From: Southern Nevada (Pahrump)
The disconnect just hit me. I make it a point not to rotate the crank when changing cams; there is no reason to rotate it. If, for some reason the crank is rotated, of course the outer dots won't line up but because of the indexing, all that means is that the crank has been rotated and is out of position.
I thought that the obvious need not be stated; apologies for not stating what I thought was obvious. I am just used to doing it my way and have done it so many times, I assumed and I shouldn't have.
I thought that the obvious need not be stated; apologies for not stating what I thought was obvious. I am just used to doing it my way and have done it so many times, I assumed and I shouldn't have.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 136
Likes: 8
From: San Antonio
Hey Klaybus,
I think I did the exact same thing that you did. I did the cam swap last night and tried to fire it up, it ran for a few seconds, like s***, until she died. I can't for the life of me recall turning the motor while the cam plate was off but I'm 99% sure I rotated the cams so the outer gears would line up, but that means I must've turned the crank at some point.
But that aside, I had a question for you if you get a notice that I replied to this thread, or anyone else who happens to stumble across this.
When you had it running out of time, did you find that any other issues or parts were wrecked as a result? I'm going to tear it back down again to correct it being out of time, but I wasn't sure if there could potentially be any issues with the valves, rockers or other parts as a result of it running for a few seconds.
The starter had a hell of a time trying to get it to fire after my initial attempt where it ran for a couple seconds, so I'm hoping I didn't fry it. Just trying to think if I should be on the lookout for any other potential problems caused by running it out of time, even though it was only briefly.
I think I did the exact same thing that you did. I did the cam swap last night and tried to fire it up, it ran for a few seconds, like s***, until she died. I can't for the life of me recall turning the motor while the cam plate was off but I'm 99% sure I rotated the cams so the outer gears would line up, but that means I must've turned the crank at some point.
But that aside, I had a question for you if you get a notice that I replied to this thread, or anyone else who happens to stumble across this.
When you had it running out of time, did you find that any other issues or parts were wrecked as a result? I'm going to tear it back down again to correct it being out of time, but I wasn't sure if there could potentially be any issues with the valves, rockers or other parts as a result of it running for a few seconds.
The starter had a hell of a time trying to get it to fire after my initial attempt where it ran for a couple seconds, so I'm hoping I didn't fry it. Just trying to think if I should be on the lookout for any other potential problems caused by running it out of time, even though it was only briefly.
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