hi , i am currently rebuilding my 2003 ram 4.7 .... i have installed all the timing gear new and have my front timing cover torqued , crank pulley installed ect.. but now am noticing everytime i rotate the crank and roll the engine over the plated links on the cam sprockets show up in a different location every time. I second guessed myself at first but am 99% sure i had them right when i put cover on.. my question is ... can i get it wrong if my V8 cam sprocket marks are at 12 oclock on TDC ... crank pulley shows TDC when v8 marks hit 12 oclock !! a chain is a chain ..the plated links are just for reference right??

 

Plated links are used with a timing gun I bet... as they spin they should show you where you are in relation to the timing mark on the block... That's my guess, as I haven't torn down one of those motors before..

 

makes sense .... i just found out from dodge mechanic that its normal for the plated links to move off mark as the motor turns...different lenght chains .... he said the motor would have to roll over 86 times to get them back on the mark ! all is good i think!

 

If you're able to successfully rotate it over by hand at least two times its not interfering

 

well i put the timing back to V8 12 oclock on both cams at TDC ...have less power and more noise ,, which i now think might be a floating valve/s due to timing messed up or something . Why would it have more power when rotated one tooth away from 12 oclock postion ?? not making any sense..but even in that position it isnt working 100% ..back fires at 4 grand .. if i had a bent valve i would hear it all the time wouldnt i ..not just when rev'd up ..

i hate this motor ...will NEVER buy another 4.7 ..errrrrrr