timing gears off?

[chargd72]

I pulled my timing cover off for the first time (getting ready for cam exchange)  and the line on the crank gear did not line up with the mark on the cam gear.  I thought they were supossed to be at 6 and 12 o'clock but they were off a bit.  Let me know if I'm way off.  This is the first time I've ever taken a motor apart and it doesn't help it's ten years older than I am.   

  Input is much appreciated

[Cooter]

Can't see if the engine has a threeway keyway or not to advance the cam timing. Most times, this is seen with double roller, but I guess their out there for the single row as well...If that isn't a three keyway crank gear, then I'd say it was out of time by at least two or three teeth...just to be sure here, the dots should meet in the middle. (I guess that could be seen as 12:00 and 6:00 O'Clock)..

[nvrbdn]

isnt the timing mark on the crank gear on the tooth not the keyway??? im thinking it is. course im not at home to look at one.

[elacruze]

Don't have a better photo of the crank sprocket?

[nvrbdn]

or ixnay that. it should be on the main body of the lower gear i think.

[nvrbdn]

thanks elacruse it should be called sprocket not gear

[chargd72]

Can't see if the engine has a threeway keyway or not to advance the cam timing. Most times, this is seen with double roller, but I guess their out there for the single row as well...If that isn't a three keyway crank gear, then I'd say it was out of time by at least two or three teeth...just to be sure here, the dots should meet in the middle. (I guess that could be seen as 12:00 and 6:00 O'Clock)..

Thanks Cooter,
It's a single keyway crank so it must be out of line.  However, I had the engine running about a month ago.  Wouldn't I notice something was off from the sound?  I have an audio of it running if anyone has an expert ear.

Don't have a better photo of the crank sprocket?

I don't know if these constitute as better but you can see the crank sprocket.

[nvrbdn]

your timing mark at the bottom sprocket is the dot just to the left of the key way. turn over to see how close it lines up to the top mark.

[nvrbdn]

when the cam sprocket comes all the way back around the timing marks will be pretty close. but play in the chain and wear could cost you a degree or two when the motor warms up.

[chargd72]

Ooooooooooohhhh, that explains it.  I was going of the key and the line on the balancer (seen in the second pic at the top) but just realized that's for setting the timing, right?

[nvrbdn]

yep thats th line mark for a timing gun to shoot at

[chargd72]

Thanks guys 

[elacruze]

Ya, the crank dot and cam dot/line should point directly at each other when at TDC #1. That cam chain looks loose enough that you might get it to go a half tooth either way but you'll be replacing that anyway right?

What cam are you putting in with those heads? I'm going for a Comp XE256H, but it's for the pickup so low RPM torque is more important than ultimate power.

[chargd72]

Ya, the crank dot and cam dot/line should point directly at each other when at TDC #1. That cam chain looks loose enough that you might get it to go a half tooth either way but you'll be replacing that anyway right?

What cam are you putting in with those heads? I'm going for a Comp XE256H, but it's for the pickup so low RPM torque is more important than ultimate power.

I will be replacing the chain.  Probably be going with an entire double roller system.

As for the cam, I ended up going with a 340 resto cam (comp 20-309-4) with the xe256h in close second.  With the heads and valve sizes I'm using, someone here posted some good numbers for me in their dyno program.  I think he compared it with the same cam you're using.  I can probably dig it up if your interested.