I'm an idiot

[erikv11]

... First and foremost, get your crankshaft lined up on Top Dead Center. You do that by turning it and lining up the marked groove.
...

Be careful about this advice - it is crucial to know that the crank mark does *not* put any cylinders at top dead center (TDC). If you try to use TDC to set the timing on these engines, the timing will be off and you can bend valves and ruin the head.

Put the crank on the mark yes, for sure that is the key and the first thing to do if you go with that method. But the whole reason you want the crank on the mark is precisely because at that position, *none* of the cylinders are at TDC. It puts #1 up high, but a few degrees shy of TDC. The others are all well off of TDC. Putting the crank on the mark ensures that you can move the cams freely, without valves hitting pistons.

For OP, as he turns the crank to get it on the mark, he is likely to meet resistance from cylinders hitting the valves. So he will have to fiddle with (rotate) the cams too during the process of aligning the crank, he can't expect to simply move the crank to the mark with no issues. If he can, great! But likely he can't.

[Gwiz3879]

You guys are great imma gonna give this a go and contact you in a few thanks for all your help

[Gwiz3879]

... First and foremost, get your crankshaft lined up on Top Dead Center. You do that by turning it and lining up the marked groove.
...

Be careful about this advice - it is crucial to know that the crank mark does *not* put any cylinders at top dead center (TDC). If you try to use TDC to set the timing on these engines, the timing will be off and you can bend valves and ruin the head.

Put the crank on the mark yes, for sure that is the key and the first thing to do if you go with that method. But the whole reason you want the crank on the mark is precisely because at that position, *none* of the cylinders are at TDC. It puts #1 up high, but a few degrees shy of TDC. The others are all well off of TDC. Putting the crank on the mark ensures that you can move the cams freely, without valves hitting pistons.



For OP, as he turns the crank to get it on the mark, he is likely to meet resistance from cylinders hitting the valves. So he will have to fiddle with (rotate) the cams too during the process of aligning the crank, he can't expect to simply move the crank to the mark with no issues. If he can, great! But likely he can't.[/quot.

So basically I move the cams first then the crank or move the crank till I feel resistance then move the cam

[erikv11]

Start with the crank. Then when you feel resistance adjust the cams until you can get through, you will be able to move the crank until the next cylinder/piston starts to interfere with the valves, etc. Clockwise or counterclockwise doesn't matter here on the crank, try to take the shortest direction to getting the crank on the mark. Similarly you can rotate the cams back and forth however they need to be moved.

I would pull out all 5 spark plugs too, so that compression (air pressure resistance) doesn't complicate things.

[JeffHicks]

... First and foremost, get your crankshaft lined up on Top Dead Center. You do that by turning it and lining up the marked groove.
...

Be careful about this advice - it is crucial to know that the crank mark does *not* put any cylinders at top dead center (TDC). If you try to use TDC to set the timing on these engines, the timing will be off and you can bend valves and ruin the head.

Put the crank on the mark yes, for sure that is the key and the first thing to do if you go with that method. But the whole reason you want the crank on the mark is precisely because at that position, *none* of the cylinders are at TDC. It puts #1 up high, but a few degrees shy of TDC. The others are all well off of TDC. Putting the crank on the mark ensures that you can move the cams freely, without valves hitting pistons.

For OP, as he turns the crank to get it on the mark, he is likely to meet resistance from cylinders hitting the valves. So he will have to fiddle with (rotate) the cams too during the process of aligning the crank, he can't expect to simply move the crank to the mark with no issues. If he can, great! But likely he can't.

Yeah, ya got me. "Old school" talk is always TDC when the timing mark is lined up.

The point I was making was that it's not hard to line up the crank on the timing mark. And that's how you start the process.

[Gwiz3879]

Okay so I've spun the motor by hand but I'm still meeting a slight amount of resistance I'm thinking it's just air pressure no noises except the cam opening and closing the valves let's see what happens next either I'm good or this is gonna f something up

[BEJinFbk]

Air pressure? All of your spark plugs should be removed for this work.

[Gwiz3879]

So I think i timed it wrong being TDC on the exhaust instead.now my question is would that destroy the head or am I still good to spin it to true TDC

[polskamafia mjl]

I don't know what you mean but if you haven't started the engine then nothing is destroyed.

With the crank mark lined up you should be able to spin the cams as much you need.

[bmdubya1198]

As long as the crank is at mark, you won't hurt anything spinning the cams.