When the timing chain bright links are in alignment with the marks on the crank and timing sprockets and the pully is on top dead center of the compression stroke on no. 1 cylinder. How many revolutions of the crank to the same alignment of chain links, sprocket marks, and TDC of no. 1
occurs again? I am talking about a late model 22re.

I don't think that it would happen for a long time, as the chain links rome, meaning that they don't always come back to the same teeth every revolution.

You might have to turn it back over 20+ times or so.

If it's just been a couple of turns, then you could try turning the engine over backwards. Just do it slowly, by hand (no impact guns or what-not) so as not to loosen the crank bolt. Don't attempt to turn the engine over using the cam bolt.

(disclaimer, I have no book learning about what I am talking about)

I realy don't think the chain position has much to do with it. On TDC on compression as long as the crank and cam are properly position, what color does one link have to do with it? It should take 2 turns of the crank to get the cam at the same spot on a 22RE/R/RET/REC. AT TDC the gas is compressed, then the spark ignites and the crank turns. On the up the exhaust opens and lets out the bad gas. Then at TDC on exhaust stroke the exhaust is starting to close, and the intake opens and sucks more gas in on the down stroke. Once it goes back up it is compressed and it starts all over again.

Chain length is sized so that it can go around both sprockets and the tensioner. has nothing to do with the timing other than it pulls. Like the chain on a bike, if it is one link longer, you just move the wheel back. still pedels the same.

(majority of this post is for a newbie who may be reading and learning something new. As I started rambleing I forgot what the question was!)

You can stand there all day turning the engine to get the install links back onto the "marked" teeth, but its irrelevant. The only purpose for the bright links is for initial install so that the cam is properly timed to the crankshaft. Once installed and everything is buttoned back up, the cam should remain in time with the crankshaft unless the chain stretches or tensioner binds causing it to skip a tooth. Main thing to look for to verify if cam is in time with the crankshaft is while the crank timing mark rests on ZERO you want the dimple on the cam gear to be just left of the 12 o'clock position with the dowel at high noon.(Drivers side of the chain should be tight- if not than you are off a tooth).
Again...with the exception of installation- pretend them bright links arent even there.

~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />