AMC 360 Timing Chain Replacement

[D7Guy]

I rebuilt my 360 recently and am trying catch any mistakes before I put it back in.

During reassembly I don't recall placing the #1 cylinder at TDC before installing the timing chain.

I did line up the timing marks on the sprockets correctly before installing the chain.

Do I need to redo this with #1 at TDC or is my timing ok?

Thanks
Dave

[TeamRush]

Nope,
Crankshaft and camshaft are both keywayed so you can't screw it up...

Just rotate crank so the piston is at TDC,
Use something SOFT in the spark plug hole, like wooden dowel rod or chop stick to locate piston top...
And turn crank by hand until you find the piston at the very top...

Turn the cam so the intake valve on #1 closes,
THEN,
Rotate 90 Degrees more, and you are ready to put the timing set on cam/crank.

Doing it this way will get you 99% the way to correctly timed, and the timing set will do the rest.
Some timing sets have keyways for more than one crankshaft arrangment, so finding TDC of #1,
Then finding the Intake valve closing, plus 90 degrees will locate the correct keyways for you.

Just line the 'Dots' on the timing set up FACING EACH OTHER, and on a centerline between center of crankshaft and camshaft, and you will be fine.

Don't over think this, it's VERY simple and easy!

[D7Guy]

great explanation. thanks for the help. all engines locate the cam and crank by different methods and i couldn't recall how amc did it. i guess that the keyways simplified things for me.

glad to know i don't have to purchase another $30.00 worth of gaskets!

[TeamRush]

Originally Posted by D7Guy

I rebuilt my 360 recently and am trying catch any mistakes before I put it back in.

During reassembly I don't recall placing the #1 cylinder at TDC before installing the timing chain.

I did line up the timing marks on the sprockets correctly before installing the chain.

Do I need to redo this with #1 at TDC or is my timing ok?

Thanks
Dave

What I would do is turn the engine over until the intake valve closes, then turn the crank until the CAM sprocket turns another 90 degrees...
AND you check for piston coming up to TDC at the same time...

TDC of compression *SHOULD BE* roughly 90 CAMSHAFT degrees after the intake valve closes...