Cam/timing chain misalignment
 

I am putting my motor together and noticed that when I put my timing chain sprockets on the sprocket for the cam doesnt seem to be completly on. The timing chain looks correct but the locating pin on the cam is about 3/16" short of coming through the sprocket and the center lug with the bolt is about 3/8" short of coming through. Is this correct?

Thanks

If what you're trying to say is that it seems like the chain is just a hair too short, then yes, that's normal. There is an aquired talent to installing a new chain and gears, and it comes from experience. You'll get it. Don't slide the crank gear all the way back until you have the cam gear on. Once it lines up, get the bolt in.

:)

Take care,
~Chris

No thats not it. I have the chain on but it seems like the cam is not fully engaged in the timing sprocket. The chain appears to be installed right as the crank sprocked is fully seated and the chain looks in correct alignment its just that the cam doesnt seem to stick all the way into the cam sprocket.

You mean like the gear is too thick? That's not unusual.

Yea that it. I was just curious as I would have thought the cam would have more fully engaged the gear. I wont worry about it then.

Just to clarify, you're saying that the cam is flush against the gear, but it looks like the gear is too wide, front to back, for the cam. yes? If that's the case, don't worry about it, as long as it's flush against the cam. They make different length alignment dowels, but the longer ones are for cars with mechanical fuel pumps.

Take care,
~Chris

The alignment pin is short by about 3/16" from coming though the gear and the center pin of the cam is even shorter. As far as I can tell the cam is flush and tight against the gear so everything looks correct except the pins dont seem to come all the way though.