You should be able to reinstall them at 12/12. if not then you are not at TDC.

TDC Piston: At the top of the #1 cylinder
TDC Cam: Intake valve just finished closing on #1 cylinder

That timing needs to be correct.

 

ohh i got ya so with the gears off i want to rotate the cam until it hit s the #1 wire on the rotor and make sure valves are closed then rotate the crank until it hits TDC then i put the gears back on werever the key ways will be witch if done right will be a 12 and 12?

 

Yes! that is correct. Sometimes it is hard to explain over message board.

Basically YOU are getting everything to TDC, and then you put the sprockets on at 12/12 so you know "Hey this is TDC" the next time you have the timing cover off.

The sprocket marks are only a reference to prove you are at TDC. Otherwise you would always need a screwdriver to check the piston and need to look at the valves to see what position they are in.

 

and when i turn the cam i will see the second vavle pop up and will the exhaust valve pop up with it? and then when those are TDC and they done line up at 12 and 12 that means either the valves arent closed all the way or its not on its comp stroke?

 

Great job you guys, I think it is very hard to get posts right. And huges net sucks for posting to slow.

 

when you put the sprockets back on, they might be a hair off. YOu would only need very small adjustments to get them dead on. Understand that? The reason is because there is always a couple degrees of play from those exact moments (like the piston at the top of its travel and the intake valve fully closed).

 

see im used to on older motors the cam gear is at 6 oclock not 12. im going to attempt this for the 4th time tomarrow. i really hope i can get it running tomarrow

 

does it matter if there a hair off? and if they are do i just turn the motor? or pull the chain back off and turn somthing

 

Merc, care to answer this one? I am thinking YES because this would be the end of the compression stroke when combustion happens thus both valves need to be closed for poston down travel. Then AFTER this the exhaust valve will open as the piston comes back up to eject exhaust gases.

That makes sense to me.

 

ah okay so basicly i have to be more concerned with aligning th cam. because the piston only pushes air. it doesnt move the valves the lifters and cam do. so when there completely up the cam gear should be at 12 oclock. then i will put the cam gear on and leave it alone. then i find TDC of the crank by turning it until the piston comes to the top of the head. and if done right the gear will be a 12 oclock as well.