Hello everyone, I am nearing the finish line in my '94 Timberwolf 4x4 crankcase swap / top end rebuild. Today I was trying to set the cam sprocket in the proper position for the valve timing but ran into a hiccup. When I line up the TDC line on the crankshaft, I can't get the camshaft sprocket TDC mark to line up perfectly with the reference line on the cylinder head. Basically I am off by half a tooth, meaning if I move the chain over one tooth, I am now not lined up but on the other side of the reference line. This is of course after I've installed the tensioner and rotated the engine 1/4 turn in either direction to make sure the chain is properly meshed with the lower crankshaft sprocket. Is it ok to run the engine like this? Does it matter which side of the TDC mark I am on for the cylinder head if I can't get a perfect alignment and have to choose either before or after the mark?

 

Often happens. I always put it so that as the chain stretches, the mark will get closer to correct, rather than further away which, I think, is how you have it in the picture.

 

Great, thanks!