[tnman]

I'm in the process of changing out cams in my 350. I rotated the engine so the marks on the timing gear and the crank gear were at 6 and 12. I pulled the cam and crank gear, installed the new cam, crank gear and timing chain. I lined the marks back up on 6 and 12.

My question is what's next? Do I install the dist so the rotor button is pointing at the # 1 cly with the marks on my timing gears at 6 and 12 or do I rotate the engine so the marks are at 12 and 12. I'm getting conflicting reports from a couple friends?

[DoubleVision]

Crank at 12, cam at 6, make sure number 1 piston is at top dead center, the crank key will be at the 2 o`clock position. Time with Distributor pointing at the number 1 cylinders spark plug wire. The 12 and 12 will work also, being if the engine is on number 1`s companion cylinder, which is number 6, just follow the first steps I mentioned, go over everything, and fire it up, make sure you change the oil after breaking in the cam.

[NXS]

Chevy timing for the dizzy. Like Dbl Vision said for the crank/cam gears. Either way will work, but that way is the best.

[poncho62]

Originally posted by DoubleVision
Crank at 12, cam at 6, make sure number 1 piston is at top dead center, the crank key will be at the 2 o`clock position. Time with Distributor pointing at the number 1 cylinders spark plug wire. The 12 and 12 will work also, being if the engine is on number 1`s companion cylinder, which is number 6, just follow the first steps I mentioned, go over everything, and fire it up, make sure you change the oil after breaking in the cam.

and you will be out 180 degrees................

With the crank at 12 and the cam at 6, it is the beginning of the cycle. You have to go around once on the crank to get to the compression stroke, which is when you want the #1 to fire.

Best way, if you have the heads on, is to turn the engine by hard with your finger over the #1 spark plug hole. You will feel the compression. At the top of the stroke, when you want it to fire.

[tnman]

Originally posted by poncho62
and you will be out 180 degrees................

With the crank at 12 and the cam at 6, it is the beginning of the cycle. You have to go around once on the crank to get to the compression stroke, which is when you want the #1 to fire.

Best way, if you have the heads on, is to turn the engine by hard with your finger over the #1 spark plug hole. You will feel the compression. At the top of the stroke, when you want it to fire.

This is the same thing one of my friends kept saying. I've helped time a few with the crank at 12 and cam at 6 and don't remember any problems.

Is it just a difference of opinions? Will either way work as well??

[poncho62]

use the finger in the plug hole method............you can't go wrong.

[NXS]

If the dizzy is not in you can time the crank/cam gears at 12-12, 12-6, 6-6, 6-12. It's BEST b/c of little room for error to go 12 o'clock on the crankshaft and 6 o'clock on the camshaft gears.

Button 'er up. Install the balancer.

Rotate engine until there is compression on cylinder #1.

Rotate the balancer until it reads 10 degrees on the timing mark.

Drop in the distributor and align the inductors(the eight little teeth under the rotor.)

Lock the dizzy down. Install the rotor bug and mark its posistion. Install the cap and note where the mark is. It's your # plug wire location. And the timing is TOTALLY set(Crank/Cam, Ignition, ALL timing!).

Done

[wickster]

When the cam mark is at twelve.....is the dowel on the cam at 3?

All I can remember is where the dowel was....From what I read I think I installed the cam 90 degrees out....I am pretty sure the dowel was at 3?