Engine Assembly: Timing Chain

To install the timing chain, I first brought the number one piston to firing position, or top dead center (TDC). The key on the crankshaft was now pointing directly up. Then I placed the camshaft gear on its key and turned the cam until the small marking dot on the gear was pointing directly down. Now the rotating parts were close to correct.

I removed the cam sprocket again and then slid the crank gear in until it started to contact the key. Then it was time to get the chain. I placed it on the cam gear and positioned it so that the two dots on the gears were pointing at each other. Next I wrapped the chain on the crank and pushed both gears in until the keys held them in position. Before fully installing them, I made sure the dots were still directly opposite of each other. Luckily I got it correct on the first try so I didn't have to remove the gears to try again. By wiggling and tapping the gears with a rubber mallet, I got them almost completely in.

To see that everything moved correctly, I rotated the crank a few turns. No problems found so I also installed the fuel pump cam. Its bolt pulled the cam gear in the rest of the way. I torqued it to 45 ft-lbs and added a little dab of thread locker for good measure. Final piece was placing the oil slinger over the crankshaft extension.