Just buttoning up a timing chain replacement and I have a question. Engine's on a stand...New chain has 3 bright links. 2 side by side and 1 at the opposite end. I set the cam gear mark between the 2 brights on top and the single bright on the crank gear mark. Had it set to TDC and all was good. My buddy wanted to spin the motor by hand with the new chain. I have now spun the motor about 25 times. Here is my question: How many more rotations before the marks are lined up again? I seem to remember cranking it a lot the last time I did one of these. I'm positive it's together correctly but you never know. And now I'm sitting here second guessing myself.
Gonna walk away from it for a bit out of frustration but if anyone has any input I really appreciate it.
Thanks for the reply, gnob. I had both set at 12 when the chain went on. Cam dowel between the two brights and the single bright at crank keyway. So you think I'll be ok if the dowel and keyway are both back at 12 without the brights being where they were when I started? I've always been able to rotate say, a chevy 350, back to TDC with the colored links back where they started within a 2 turns. Just want to be sure and not bend any valves.
Sorry talking my words into my phone... I meant a few turns. I guess the brights are throwing me off. Logically, both cam and crank marks at 12 should mean it's on TDC. Why have brights at all then? I actually got a few kits and all of the chains were marked for the 22r. So what you're saying is if the chain wasn't marked then cam and crank at 12 it's good to go.
For my peace of mind I went and rotated that thing about 40 times and the chain is back where it started. Lol. Thanks again for your help here.
The bright links are to get your mechanical timing and timing chain lined up for the first time. This ensures you have the correct number of chain links on the opposite side as the tensioner. This keeps the cam and crank shafts lined up based on the correct number of links on the left side of the engine (right side as you look at the engine standing in front of the truck).
Because the tensioner takes up any slack on the other side, you will have "extra" links that prevent the markings from lining up after a few turns.
If the chain was installed correctly, once rotated, the bright links do not matter as long as the timing chain has not jumped the sprocket teeth.
