Conflicting timing chain information, which is right?

[LXguy]

Hey All:

So I'm going to install the timing chain.

The "How to build the small block Mopar" book says that the dot on the cam gear should be at the bottom, aligned with the dot on the crank gear. This is the way it is usually done on the stuff I am used to...

HOWEVER, the Mopar Action magazine I just got has a 318 buildup in it. They say that the dot on the timing gear should be at the top, aligned with the dot on the crank gear of course, but 180* different than what the book says.

Obviously, they can't both be right. What is the proper way to do it?

Thanks

Steve

 

[ramcharger]

Actually, they CAN be both right. For installation ease, match the dots at the bottom at #1 TDC. Rotate the crank 360 degrees which will turn the cam 180 degrees putting the cam sprocket dot at the top. Now the #1 cylinder is @ TDC on it's compression stroke and you can install the distributor.

 

[LXguy]

OK, that makes sense. Its pretty amazing the little differences between American small block V8s.

Thanks

Steve

 

[ramcharger]

No problem Steve, happy to help.

Don't forget that the Mopar will use a separate oil pump drive shaft that drives both the oil pump and distributor. There's a slot on top that the distributor shaft slides into and can only go in two ways, hence the need to be sure that the slot will have the distributor's rotor pointed at the #1 position on the cap.

 

[longarm]

Hey Steve,
Nows the perfect time to check your harmonic balancer to
see if it is still reading correct.

 

[LXguy]

Thanks again:

This is a Magnum engine with a hydraulic roller on a LA style cam core if that makes any sense.

I'm putting a new balancer and timing tape on it, so it better line up! LOL!

Thanks for the tip on the oil pump DS. I had read about that, and was happy to find that it was way less of a cluster than I had envisioned.

Steve