Setting CAM timing

JFISCH

MEMBER
1991 NISSAN HARDBODY
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
100,000 MILES

The instructions on your site for setting cam timing references silver chain link and punch marks on the crank and cam gears. The chain had been replaced by a previous owner. I'm actually replacing the head because of cam bearing damage. The existing chain does not have any markings on it. There are punch marks on both gears.

My plan is to set the timing by lining the crank and cam at tdc, then install the chain without regards to the silver link. To do this I need to know what the tdc position is for the crank and cam.

The crank pulley has 5 marks for setting timing. However I do not know for sure which one is tdc vs btc marks? I saw the diagram on your site from Nissan. It shows the crank key way at the top and the cam gear pin at the top. The block sits at an angle. Should the key way and cam pin sit at top compared to the horizon or at the top considering the angle of the block by using a straight edge?

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

TDC is the 2nd mark if you are counting clockwise.

If you clean the chain thoroughly and carefully observe the links, you would notice a few of the links are different in color. They are the so-called silver links.
It looks like the cam and crank keys go straight up (Lined up with engine) There appears to be a punch mark at 3 o'clock on the cam and 5 o'clock on the crank

See the pic below

Image (Click to make bigger)