Judgement699

Ok here is where I stand on my 1997 F-150 4.6L V8. I blew a head gasket few days ago, got the kit, and started to do a tear down on and decided I would take the heads to a machine shop to get them all cleaned up and all. I left them at TDC. Here is where im worried, Ive heard of people denting valves and all by them getting out of time. How hard is it to get them timed, and what should I look for and do I need any specific tools for the job?

Because the cams are going to be moved im sure and I can put them at TDC again, but im really worried about haveing to do more engine work that can be avoided.

Kattumaram

I would strongly advise you consult a specialist in the 4.6L SOHC engine before you try to reassemble the heads to the engine. Some special tools are required to position the cams and another special tool to tension the timing chains. If you get something messed up and the cam timing is off, you can wind up with a few hundred pounds of junk.

Of course you will have purchased all new head bolts...but you knew that already.

Ghost915

I have the same problem and didnt know about the tools till after we removed the heads to have them checked out. I was lucky that my heads are ok but now I have to get them re-timed so we can put them back on. I have bought the tool kit for my truck now but Im starting to think its to late to use it, or am I wrong here? If so how do you re-set the heads back to TDC again? The block is at TDC but I know the heads are not.

TheJMC

Here is an interesting write up on how to swap cams. It explains the timing procedure. I use vice grips on the cam shaft to hold the cams in place. The purchase of a good shop manual should be considered for future reference.

http://forums.modulardepot.com/showthread.php?t=109923

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