timing chain install 223

[green streak]

It appears that the timing chain on my 63 223 has skipped. I have a new chain set but the timing marks on the sprockets don't line up with each other. :x According to my manual (on 300 i6) don't move the cam or crank independently of each other. How do I line up these two dots and still have the crank and cam set at top dead centre. Seems to me you have to move the cam and crankshaft independently.
How do I do this?
Thanks in advance
Greg C

 

[manglass]

I checked the shop manual before I posted this because I couldn't remember either. According to the picture, at #1 TDC the keyway on the crankshaft is straight up and the keyway for the camshaft is straight down. This puts the timing marks on both gears at approximately 45 degrees or 1:30 o'clock. With everything set in place there should be 12 timing chain link pins between the timing marks on the sprockets. Somtimes the chain will have 2 off-color (gold?) links where the timing marks should go.

If you need to turn the crank or the cam a little to make everything line up that should be okay. If you have to turn a lot, make sure it's smooth and doesn't stop. As in when a valve hits a piston. If you do encounter interference, reverse direction to get where you want to go. Piston to valve clearance shouldn't be much of an issue on this motor but put the cam and crank far enough out of relation to each other and anything can happen.

Hope that helps.

Lou

 

[green streak]

Thanks Lou. It all lined up the way you describe. I have thge valve cover off and when I turn the engin by hand it seems to be right on. Seems to me that those round timing marks a little redundent. I can't ever remember doing a timing chain where they either didn't line up with each other or some other marker.
Greg

 

[manglass]

Glad to hear I was able to help you out. Many of the six cylinder engines were that way because of the way the cam sits off to the side. The timing marks are there to line up with the marked links on the chain and also to identify when you have the 12 pins in between.

Let us know how it runs!

Lou

 

[green streak]

Got it all back together this morning and it fired right up. I now just have to readjust the idle and get the timing light to it. Once again thanks for the help.
Greg C arty:

 

[manglass]

Good Job! Happy to hear that it all worked out well for you. I never did ask, is it a car or truck?

Lou