cheking cam timing in the car

[clarelaw]

I want to recheck my cam timing prior to firing the motor up again after a rebuild. I understand that it can be done in the car but that it is a pain in the a**.

Is it easier just to pull the engine, or just deal with the tight space and recheck it in the car?

[clarelaw]

Come on guys - somebody out there must have tried to check ther cam timing with the engine in the car. I know it is not easy, but is it worth the hassel of pulling the engine, if that is the only reason to pull the engine?

[kstylianos]

Easy to do with engine in the car. Remove intake valve covers, place z-block and dial indicator on #1 intake spring retainer and rotate the crank pully to TDC, read lift. Do the same with #4. Easy as pie.

[clarelaw]

Thanks, didn't want to pull the engine again.

[john walker's workshop]

just get the a/c pump out of the way. you can't line up the Z1 mark on pulley with the split in the cases, just the mark on the fan housing, which may or may not be right on, but it's within a few hundredths of a mm on the gauge, which is no big deal.

[clarelaw]

Thanks John, When I finally get this thing running half way decent, I'll bring it to you for a fine tune.

[ChrisBennet]

Without the chain tensioned the cam timing will be a bit off but you'll be able to tell if you are in the ballpark.
-Chris