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So, as it turns out... [timing chain]

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L

lesingepsycho

Jedi Warrior
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...you really should use a straight-edge when changing your timing gears. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif

When hurriedly changing my timing gears some time ago, I thought to myself, gee, I can just eyeball this one because if it were off, it would be off by a noticable amount.

Wrong!

The low compression numbers and charge coming back through the newly tuned carbs is what tipped me off although the car idle well and ran strong (enough).

My timing chain cover was leaking after the new gears went in so luckily I had a reason to get back in there. Checked it with a straight-edge this time. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif Now it runs even stronger /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif Lesson learned.

JACK
 
Boy, I must check half a dozen times with a straight edge, scared to death I will get it one tooth off.
 
IIRC, one tooth is as much as 9* or so. Noticable. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif

That "eyeball" lesson was learned early, with a clutch assembly R&R: Use tools!! An hours' worth of thrutchin' around could have been reduced to thirty seconds with a proper alignment. "Close" and "machine tolerances" are usually mutually exclusive terms.
 
When you use a degree wheel it takes all the guesswork out of it. An inexpensive and invaluable tool that should be in anyones box that is working with timing.
JMHO, of course.
Jeff
 
I'm ashamed to admit: my degree wheel is a "Mister Gasket" one. Fashionable blue color, tho. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
I've got several, including a Castrol one that David Vizard gave me, and an aluminum unit that I got at a go-kart shop!
A couple of mine have been attached to the appropriate crank nut or bolt for the common engines I work with.
Jeff
 
9 Degrees? See, that sounds like a lot which is why I thought you could eyeball it. 9 degrees seems like it would be noticable but then I guess it is only half as much on the cam since it goes around only half a turn for every turn of the crank.

You know, one of the big reasons I started to suspect that i got the timing off was because of one of Jack's posts where he was saying that he checked it "half a dozen times". That got me thinking that it must be fussier than I had given it credit for.

I've learned many lessons the easy way by watching other people make them and then not make them myself, but every so often one has to learn something the hard way! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

Other mutually exclusive terms:
"Human nature" and "Infallibility"
"Patience" and "Rush job"
"MG Midget" and "Conventional wisdom"

haha, couldn't resist that last one!

JACK
 
Add "Common" and "Sense" to the list too, Jack! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
Not directed at anyone, just a general observation.
Jeff
 
And that is one of the reasons I post so much.

1. So others won't make the same mistake.

2. So I can kind of think out loud.

3. So I can get a bit of help on something I have forgotten.

4. So I can learn from others knowledge.

5 Etc.

Not only that but I type preaty fast for an old guy.
 
jlaird said:
And that is one of the reasons I post so much.

1. So others won't make the same mistake.

2. So I can kind of think out loud.

3. So I can get a bit of help on something I have forgotten.

4. So I can learn from others knowledge.

5 Etc.

Not only that but I type preaty fast for an old guy.
Click to expand...

and 6 SWMBO is tired of hearing about it
 
FWIW, one tooth is 18 degrees, but if you checked with a degree wheel you would have caught it right off the bat.
 
Thanks, Hap. Wasn't certain, but knew it to be substantial. 18* is more than I'd have thought.
 
9Âş on the cam gear, Doc, which translates into 18Âş of crankshaft rotation.
<u>Half</u> the RPM of the crank, remember? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
Jeff
 
yeah. Hap sez 18*, I figger I'm th' idjit. After I left for the day it dawn'd on me. I'm thinkin' bump stick, up-top, he's talkin' th' BIG part. :shrug:
 
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