Looking for tips on replacing timing chain and gears

[SkinnyG]

If there is no dot staring you in the face on the crank sprocket, you have it on backwards. Chamfer should go against the crank. Looks backwards to me.

[E.D.75GMC]

Here we are;

[geezer#99]

Did you tap it home?
Looks like it could go on a bit more in your other pic.

[E.D.75GMC]

I bought some pipe today to slip around the crank and tap the sprocket better

[E.D.75GMC]

Got the crank sprocket tapped on all the way now. Was having difficulty getting the camshaft sprocket into place with the chain on both sprockets, started to rain so I called it quits until I'm home from work tonight.

[gmachinz]

Yeah...that's why I suggested using a crankshaft socket....it allows you to make minute adjustments. Heck, even a machine shop should be able to sell you one.

[franken]

Everything takes 3x as long as it should. Then when you get done, you know how to do it next time.
https://www.google.com/search?q=dual...nkshaft+socket

[E.D.75GMC]

My dad and I were having trouble lining up the camshaft sprocket (with the chain draped over it and the crankshaft sprocket already) with the dowel poking out of the camshaft, as pictured here. The chain was too taught on both sides to allow us the slight amount of movement that we needed to get the sprocket on...

[E.D.75GMC]

...so my dad decided that we should spin the crank just a little bit to get the camshaft sprocket to slide on to the dowel. That worked, but as you can see it's not lined up perfectly now. The bolts aren't tight just put in by finger to hold the sprocket on. Is this too much off or will it be okay? My dad thinks it will be fine but I'd rather see those dots lined up spot on.

[geezer#99]

Piece of cake!!
Turn the crank just a hair cw and they'll line up perfectly.
Did you leave the distributor in place or was it removed?

[E.D.75GMC]

Ok thanks! And no, the distributor was not touched.

[geezer#99]

I see your pan gasket still in place.
Should be easy to slide the cover back on if you do one little trick.
On the inside part of the seal lip, just cut it back at a 45 degree angle (up on each corner), put a little silicone on the seal in that area and slide the cover on.

[gmachinz]

That won't work. You'll have to lower the pan-the inner lip on the timing cover must go down and behind the pan gasket before the holes in the cover will even attempt to align with the block dowels. You'd end up mangling the front pan seal any other way. The timing cover MUST go on first, then the pan can be tightened back up. As for the timing marks being lined up-you're good! If anything, you're talking about a 1/4 to 1/2 degree at worse due to manufacturing tolerances which is easy enough to adjust on the distributor when adjusting the timing so not to worry!

So have fun putting the timing cover back on!! Lol

[gmachinz]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

I see your pan gasket still in place.
Should be easy to slide the cover back on if you do one little trick.
On the inside part of the seal lip, just cut it back at a 45 degree angle (up on each corner), put a little silicone on the seal in that area and slide the cover on.

That lip is there as a backup to keeping the seal from leaking....IMO its not worth taking the easy road to install the cover if you're going to have a front seal oil leak.

[geezer#99]

I've done that a half dozen times with no problems and no leaks!
But, to each his own!!