Leaderboard

There is a pretty easy way to check the camshaft timing, without removing the timing chain cover; which is a bit hard to do, with the engine installed. Remove all the spark plugs, & the oil filler cap, & the dissy HT cover. Place a mark on the dissy aluminum base edge, where no: 1 spark plug lead connects to the spark plug. Rotate the engine until the crankshaft pulley "timing mark" lines up with the corresponding mark, on the timing chain cover. If the dissy rotor is out 180 degrees, then rotate the crankshaft an extra full turn, until the timing marks aligned, again. This should be T.D.C. No: 1 cylinder. Place a long screwdriver down no: 1 spark plug hole, & rock the crankshaft back & forth, to confirm that the piston, is right at the top of the travel. If it is, then your camshaft timing, is probably all good. There are a couple of things that could be amiss, if it is not at TDC, that may not be a result of a camshaft chain alignment being an issue. eg: The engine at sometime in it's life has had a timing chain cover, or a crankshaft pulley fitted, that originally came from a 5K engine, which had the marks in slightly different positions. Once you have determined that the no: 1 piston, is at TDC, you can rock the crankshaft back & forth, & looking down the oil filler hole, you should see that both inlet & exhaust rocket arms are clear of the valves. A penlite torch, often assists with this test, or alternatively remove the rocker cover. When you have determined everything is OK, then turn the crankshaft, "anti-clockwise", until the timing mark on the pulley lines up with 10 -12 deg. BTDC. Now check that the arc on the dissy rotor, is still pointing towards no: 1 spark plug lead position. If not, then there is always the possibility, that the dissy has been inserted into the block, 1 tooth out. I hope this all proves out there is not an inherent assembly problem, & then, you can concentrate on getting the centrifugal & vacuum advance / retard settings sorted. Let us know how you go. Cheers Banjo