How to keep the engine in time?

[timothymoore]

next week @ school, my instructor wants a fellow student and i to remove the heads of my D. was just wondering how you go about keeping the engine in time after the heads are removed. thanks.

[bkntym]

If you remove the heads you will have to remove the timing chains and upper
sprockets. To just clamp it and re asemble it would be a bad thing.
You can make sure you set it up prior to removal and leave the bottom end
in the #1 TDC position. But everything being said it would be best to set the timing
as per the manual after reassembly. I would not rely on it being right any other way.
Its really not hard.
basically set the crank then set both cams and clamp each one then install the chains and upper sprockets.
Ford 4.6 and 5.4 l engines have a similar timming design.

but get and follow a manual.

[Elvis]

cable ties

[DMCMW Dave]

next week @ school, my instructor wants a fellow student and i to remove the heads of my D. was just wondering how you go about keeping the engine in time after the heads are removed. thanks.

See Service Manual page c:06:07 but I really don't recommend this short-cut especially without the fixture (I have seen it done, but. . . ). If you lose tension on the chains you can have the chain tensioner pop out and then you are taking it all apart anyway.

Also pay VERY close attention as you remove the heads, if you try and just pull them off you will lift the cylinder liners off the lower seat and break the seal. If you turn the engine over with the heads off (without the clamps in place) you will break the lower seal. Then you will be pulling all the pistons/liners out as well. See page C:07:04 regarding the clamps.

This is not a particularly simple engine to just remove the heads for the heck of it. See if he can have you do something else, unless there really is a problem with the head gaskets.

I should have asked this first - what problem are you trying to fix?

[opethmike]

This is not a particularly simple engine to just remove the heads for the heck of it.

You can say that again.

[Ron]

See Service Manual page c:06:07 but I really don't recommend this short-cut especially without the fixture (I have seen it done, but. . . ). If you lose tension on the chains you can have the chain tensioner pop out and then you are taking it all apart anyway.

Also pay VERY close attention as you remove the heads, if you try and just pull them off you will lift the cylinder liners off the lower seat and break the seal. If you turn the engine over with the heads off (without the clamps in place) you will break the lower seal. Then you will be pulling all the pistons/liners out as well. See page C:07:04 regarding the clamps.

This is not a particularly simple engine to just remove the heads for the heck of it. See if he can have you do something else, unless there really is a problem with the head gaskets.+1
I strongly suggest you print this out and show it to your instructor!