Was working on a 2.6 for the 88, and the tension sleeve slipped off my finger. I pushed it back, then realized I had released the chain and it was no longer tight on the crankshaft gear. I put it back on the crank gear where I thought it should go, then stuck the distributor back on, and went to spin it. Clunk. It's hitting something. It looks like the chain is now completely out of whack with the timing. I can figure out TDC on the crank, but don't know how to do it with the head to ensure I get it in the right spot. The manual isn't any help on that in the head assembly area. How do I bring up TDC on the camshaft?

I'm not sure how to resolve the timing but it might be a good idea to change the post title to something more accurate like "How do I set timing on my 2.6?" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

How about "How do I set cam timing on the 2.6?" Otherwise people might think "timing light."

John B.

If I remember right from doing my 88, there should be dots that all line up on the gears and off colored links on the timing chain. Stick a screwdriver down #1 spark plug hole you can feel the piston hit TDC and then start moving down. Look at the timing marks and make sure you are not out 180 degrees.

It's easy. Ease the crank around to tdc, then backwards 90* to get the pistons out of the way of the valves. Rotate the cam until the dowel pin hole on the cam/cam sprocket/dizzy gear is about half a tooth short of straight up, just ccw from it. Rotate the crank to the tdc mark. Install the cam sprocket to the cam.

If the chain is alread on there, life is harder. you can tie the tensioner back and rotate stuff and re-hook the chain on the sprockets and get it right. Just turn stuff slow to avoid banging the valves and pistons. Remember, in a 4cyl like the 2.6, two pistons are on the way up and two on the way down, down equaling up movements, so if you turn the crank 90* off tdc, the pistons are all halfway down the bore and safe from all collisions with valves. Just a little movement is usually enough, but better safe than sorry.