Okay I replaced a bunch of parts because my car skipped time after a broken tensioner. I have my #1 cylinder at TDC. I put the head on and now im confused as to how to place the cams and cam sprockets. My valves are closed and I havent installed either intake nor exhaust cam and the engine is still at tdc.

I have both gm ecotec build book and haynes but both are confusing as hell as to the way to put the cam sprockets.

 

Im of no real help but be sure to check out this how to. 07 went into detail about that very part of the install and how the books are not 100 right there

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...2811&styleid=9

 

I was reading that one day and couldnt find it again. I'll check it out cause Im confused as hell

 

Mark on crank sprocket at 5 oclock, Intake cam sprocket - diamond at 2 oclock, Exhaust cam - triangle at 10 oclock.

Line up the colored links on the chain accordingly.


There is some pictures on here that will help
FAQ: Ecotec cam install and cam timing - Page 2 - Performance Forum - j-body.org - The J-Body Organization

 

My question is...do I line the crank sprocket by turning it to 5oclock obviously but then when I position my cams do I need to turn them to get then at 10 and 2? Wouldnt this open the valves. All of this when my piston 1 is tdc?

 

Just line up the colored links on your timing chain with the links on the crank and cam gears.

Like so:

 

What about my cams? They obviously have to be turned to have the sprockets line up at 10 and 2 but wouldnt this open the valves or no?

 

Yes. Make sure the one on the crank lines up too.

The build book references setting the whole system to TDC and marking before removing the chain, but you said you skipped teeth so that's out the window.

 

make sure all the pistons are at mid stroke then put a cam gear on the intake spin the cam to its correct position then do the same for exhaust then remove cam gears now put the crank key @ 12 dot @ 5 put the correct colored link on the crank gear dot then put the correct colored link on the intake cam gear diamond and install the gear and put the bolt in with Loctite then torqued to 65 ftlbs now line up the colored link on the ex cam triangle place cam gear against cam use a 15/16 wrench and rotate the exhaust cam clockwise until the cam gear lock into the cam use Loctite on bolt install bolt torque to 65 ftlbs then install tensioner and release then rotate engine till #4 cylinder is on tdc compression lint up the timing marks on the cps housing and install

go get the build book
and for future problems with your car/engine post in the problems and service section not the performance section

 

the build book for the lsj dose not references setting the whole system to TDC and marking before removing the chain the sport compact build book third edition has those steps

 

I have the build book

 

When is #4 on compression stroke? What is the easiest way to tell?

 

then read it

use a compression tester but if you don't know this basic stuff take it to a shop and have them finish it this stuff is not that hard

 

Agreed. The book shows pretty much everything you need to know but what Mr.B referenced with the CPS sensor.

 

i think where he is getting confused is, he tightened the cams in place without having them in the proper postitions, and hes confused on how to align them because their tight as **** ( trying to rotate them with the vavles lol )

dont tighten any bolts yet, align everything up first. THEN proceed to tighten. but then again its been 3 days and it took the rest of us 30-45 minutes, so my post is probably null

 

I think you dont have a clue what I was talking about either. I didnt have cams installed at all.

I got it timed, dead on. No cam correlation code, no misfire nothing. Pretty hard to **** it up after you do it once.