+1.. for 97 and back to 94, I think the Haynes is better.

 

I got my water pump from NAPA when I did my plenum and no problems with it so far- been about 15,000 miles. I know it was a new one and I think it was a GMB- not completely sure though.

 

[/QUOTEAnd +1 on the Haynes and download. WHATEVER you do, disconnect battery before you start, and DO NOT under any circumstances let crank or camshaft turn while you remove or replace timing set. Heap of trouble if you do.... just take your time and make sure you nearly memorize the instructions in the manual. I would even go as far as to print out the approriate section and have it there with me while I did it.[/QUOTE
So lets say one of those or both does move, wouldn't you just be able to align the dots on the sprockets once you got them back on, then all is well? I've never done a timing chain before so that might be a rookie question...reading in haynes and the guide download here, thats what I gather. How easy will it be for either of those to move while in the process of taking the chain/sprockets on and off?

 

They will not move on their own. Some get hung up on rotating to line up marks, but if you roll one to a point and the other the other way, you are screwed. They are designed to turn together. If you want them to line up, then rotate BEFORE you remove the chain and you are good. But one turns 2 times for every rotation of the other.

 

ok thanks for that, I was a little unclear. And since I won't be taking off heads, pulling cam shaft out etc I shouldn't have to turn the engine to TDC before I start it up right? Everything should be the same as it was before it was tore apart to that point

 

You will want to turn the engine over with the chain exposed until you can see the dot on the cam and crank gear line up- cam with the dot at the bottom and crank with the dot at the top. I think that's #6 TDC when they are lined up but can't remember for sure if that was the Dodge or the Trans Am lol. Once the dots are lined up then take it off and put on the new one.

 

You do NOT need to turn engine over. And any other than #1 TDC and such will jack it up. Over the last 40+ years of rebuilding and working on engines, I have never had a problem taking eht chain off where it szits and reinstalling it at the saem spot. The only time this is an issue was the old plastic or fiber rim gears.

The key is DO NOT turn and you do not have to worry about TDC anything. The Cam and the Crank are alreay in the correct alignment with each other. If not, the enine would not run.....period....

 

I think it is a good idea to rotate the motor until the dots line up(with original gears and chain still on) of course. Then swap them out. Just dont rotate the motor anytime after removing old gears and chain.

 

+1 .... This is the preferred methoid, but turning the engine the proper direction (without putting a pipe wrench on crankshaft) and aligneing. But absolutely NO rotating after chain is off.

 

Doesn't matter what direction you turn the motor. As long as it's done by hand as you stated(with plugs out for ease) and those dots line up.