Timing indecision

[Kev555]

Hi all, just wanted to double check things before I put the cover on the timing gear. I am probably overthinking things but I noticed the 6 o'clock rule for the bottom cog is defo at 6 o clock but the timing tool just doesn't sit in the dowel. It's about a tooth out ATM. Which should I go by or can I trust a tool?

 

[lwarrior1016]

How does your L chain look on the crank gear? The pictures you’ve shown, look fine.

I’m not sure I understand the point in that tool. It goes on the crankshaft?

I’ve never used any special tools to time modular engines. 2, 3, 4v, or coyote, nothing special needed.

 

[JC SSP]

I have yet to do a 4.6L but on most any other engine... align the timing marks and rotate the assembly several times to make sure they are in sequence with TDC & BTDC.

PS Make sure those cam phasers are seated properly...

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

Hi all, just wanted to double check things before I put the cover on the timing gear. I am probably overthinking things but I noticed the 6 o'clock rule for the bottom cog is defo at 6 o clock but the timing tool just doesn't sit in the dowel. It's about a tooth out ATM. Which should I go by or can I trust a tool?

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Looks spot on to me but good call by:

I have yet to do a 4.6L but on most any other engine... align the timing marks and rotate the assembly several times to make sure they are in sequence with TDC & BTDC.

PS Make sure those cam phasers are seated properly...

and

How does your L chain look on the crank gear? The pictures you’ve shown, look fine.

 

[86GT351]

I would also say it looks good.

 

[07 Boss]

What is this timing tool you speak of? I've done mine 3-4 times and don't know what we are speaking of.

 

[Kev555]

How does your L chain look on the crank gear? The pictures you’ve shown, look fine.

I’m not sure I understand the point in that tool. It goes on the crankshaft?

I’ve never used any special tools to time modular engines. 2, 3, 4v, or coyote, nothing special needed.

The both black links are on the dot on the bottom cog Warrior. Thanks for the advice. one thing I nearly got wrong was the tensioner guides. Very little difference on them except on the left the chain can run on the edge of the tensioner if its the wrong one with the shoulder.

 

[Kev555]

I have yet to do a 4.6L but on most any other engine... align the timing marks and rotate the assembly several times to make sure they are in sequence with TDC & BTDC.

PS Make sure those cam phasers are seated properly...

Thanks JC The phaser are properly mounted and hand tight atm (watched far too many youtube videos on this topic) I take you mean the dowel etc?
I saw where you should use a special tool to lock them for tightening according to the workshop manual? and I see videos where other guys just torque against the chain resistance. With me not knowing too much about what could damage or stretch a new phaser which method do you use to tighten them?

 

[Kev555]

Thanks Dino for the support once again and thanks for all you guys help, I'm just generally overthinking then as everywhere I read it says these engines are difficult to work on whatever that means? So far I have found the rebuild fairly straight forward (not being cocky here as I shit myself and double checked everything most of the way to this point) The workshop manual was a vast help. I am just constantly looking for a trip up somewhere and thought the phasers and timing would be the one.

 

[Kev555]

What is this timing tool you speak of? I've done mine 3-4 times and don't know what we are speaking of.

The crank tool at the top of this photo.

 

[Kev555]

Can you guys recommend a good harmonic balancer but not the mega bucks ones. I'm about broke with this stock build

 

[86GT351]

Can you guys recommend a good harmonic balancer but not the mega bucks ones. I'm about broke with this stock build

Message me year make and model and what you need. I will check warehousing to see what might be available.

 

[07 Boss]

View attachment 109197
The crank tool at the top of this photo.

Oh, I have those same tools, but I never used them to actually time the engine, just to hold or turn stuff. I've always just lined the marks up visually

 

[Kev555]

It is pretty useful for locking the crank

 

[Kev555]

I mentioned this earlier but do I need to use the proper tool (middle tool in the picture above) to lock the phasers to torque them or is it ok to use some other method? I am afraid of damaging or stretching the phasers.

 

[lwarrior1016]

I mentioned this earlier but do I need to use the proper tool (middle tool in the picture above) to lock the phasers to torque them or is it ok to use some other method? I am afraid of damaging or stretching the phasers.

If you already have the tool to torque them, use it. If not, you won’t hurt anything. You can wedge a piece of wood between the chain and the cam sprocket.

Some 2v cams have a spot in the rear end of the camshaft that accepts a ratchet extension and you can hold the cam back there with a breaker bar. Check yours, it might be there too.

 

[JC SSP]

I have seen Vice grips work too.

 

[Midlife Crises]

View attachment 109197
The crank tool at the top of this photo.

I have used the tool that holds the phaser from turning a few times. It works flawlessly without putting obscene strain on the other components and there is no need for vise grip tracks on the cams. I have the wedge but have never used it and I wonder if the crank holding fixture might be good when torquing the flywheel bolts.

 

[Kev555]

Thanks for info, saw the D shaped hole on rear of the camshaft when I was putting the heads on. I'm afraid to wedge it there as it might put undo stress on the cam. I was tempted to use the crank lock tool I have the cam locking tool ordered but it won't be here to next week at the earliest. I think I will wait for it just to be sure. Can't afford any screw ups when parts are so hard to source.

 

[Kev555]

I bought the Ford performance timing kit on recommendations of Dino. it is a costly set to purchase. I know how critical it was to have quality timing gear as there was a lot of talk online about cheaper timing chains breaking or stretching. I am however a bit disappointed in the tensioner seals? Just a shitty bead of silicone around the frame that is actually loose in a couple of places. I know from reading online that tensioners can have gasket blowouts? which let tension off the chain. I'm worried about these tensioners not having a proper gasket or is this the norm?