I’m got a problem that I’m stumped with. I pulled my cam cover on a 1997 EVO to replace the crappy plastic breather valve with a S&S reed valve assembly. When I pulled the cam cover off my cam came with it. No problem, right? When I went to line my timing marks on cam and pinion gear, I found mark on cam but I have searched everywhere on pinion gear and there is no mark anywhere. Is there a way to time with no mark? Could mark be covered with pinion gear nut?

 

Pinion nut won't cover any marks as it runs "internal" (the nut). The mark is typically a little line at the bottom of a gear tooth. Why the reed valve vs. a quality metal rotating unit?

ETA- I have only used reed valves if the breather bore was totally roached out, not saying it's bad, just curious.

 

It’s hard to see but it’s there. Clean it off real good.