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There's a reason I haven't - but a question

JPSmit

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I know I Know, I still haven't reassembled the engine. Work got very busy very quickly and more to the point, our best Friend's middle daughter wants to learn how to assemble an engine so I said I'd wait till she was done exams.

So, that leaves me reading & reading (TMI actually)

Last night I'm reading the Autobook Manual on how to reassemble an engine and on page 23 I read this:

"On the 1500 the fuel pump and the distributer drive shaft and also the tappets must be fitted before securing the camshaft locking plate."

This makes no sense to me - distributer maybe but the other two? - help!
 
Does the camshaft need to be turned to aid installation of tappets? If so, I assume the camshaft locking plate would prevent this. As for the fuel pump, pass.
 
I think it is just suggesting you have a bit of "wiggle room" needed for aligning the pump, lifters and dizzy drive before finally putting the plate on. The plate just keeps the cam in fore-aft alignment, within a few thou of back and forth motion, IIRC.
 
DrEntropy said:
I think it is just suggesting you have a bit of "wiggle room" needed for aligning the pump, lifters and dizzy drive before finally putting the plate on. The plate just keeps the cam in fore-aft alignment, within a few thou of back and forth motion, IIRC.

that's what I thought - thanks
 
regularman said:
I have changed a spit fuel pump before without going into the engine, so I see no reason why it should have to be mounted before the cam.

I doubt the cam would FIT past the pump arm that way. He's said the suggestion is that the LOCATING PLATE not be put in before fitting the pump, not the CAM. Cam in, fit the ancillaries, THEN the plate.
 
OK let's recap.

what I was thinking (and the book sort of confirms)was this order of assembly

1. Crankshaft
2. Cam shaft
3. Timing chain
4. Pistons
5. Tappets/ rods/ head
6. fuel pump etc.

Now I'm hearing

1. Crankshaft
2. Cam shaft
3. fuel pump/ dizzy/ tappets
3a attach plate
4 timing chain
5 pistons
6 head

does this make sense?
 
If I were going to assemble a 1500 right now, I think I would do:

1) Camshaft (because you need to support it from below to get it so slide into the last journal. It will be easier with the crank shaft out)

2) Crank shaft, rods and pistons (cause it just makes sense to me to install all those things together)

3) Timing chain and cover (it will be easier to turn the cam and align the timing marks without all that other junk in the way)

4) Tappets, fuel pump, head, and valve train.

5) I'd do the dizzy last because you can use a drill to spin up your oil pump before your first start. Also, it's easier to save your self from installing the drive gear 180 out if you can see wich valves are closing as you approach TDC.

I have had my cam out twice, and I have put the plate in before putting the rest of the stuff on and I have had no problems.
 
Morris is correct, go for it.
 
The only reason I thought pistons after timing chain was for ease of spinning both to align the timing marks
 
Use a flywheel wrench or what ever, not a big deal.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The only reason I thought pistons after timing chain was for ease of spinning both to align the timing marks[/QUOTE]

Not a bad idea, really. Can't imagine why it wouldn't work to do it that way.
 
Shucks you only have to turn the crank 180 degrees at most. Cam easy without other assembly.
 
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