16 Valve cam timing problem....help needed

lmeidl · Post by **lmeidl** » 20 Mar 2006, 11:12

I have a 1990 740 with the 16 valve engine and like a fool ran too long without replacing the timing belt. Not very smart on an interference engine, huh? I have replaced the head, but here's the HUGE problem. When I set the camshafts back on the head, it is obvious that aligning the timing marks where the manual says to (almost straight up), would cause the valves to get smashed again. Is it possible somebody has removed the timimg belt gears on the cams and put them back in the wrong position? If anyone can send a pic of the cams in place with them aligned I would appreciate it as I know the #1 piston will hit the #1 intake valves if I continue to believe the marks as they align now. (I ruined one head this way already). PLEASE HELP!

flynbrick · Post by **flynbrick** » 23 Mar 2006, 23:19

Good luck man.
I feel your pain.

I wish I could help but the beast is gone.
My advice: think four cylinder turbo.
There are so many nice 740 turbo and 940 turbos available for cheap in this used car market.
(And from my experience, they get speeding tickets and poor gas mileage just as well as the 16 valve did.)