Chris98Gt

When I put the pi heads on my gt will the old timing chains work or will I need to get new ones? Also how hard is it to get the cams timed exactly together? Is it worth paying a ford guy $50 to come time them for me?

Donnie's GTS

as long as you have the heads off might as well do the timing chains, just so they are new with the heads.

98MustangSTL

Replacing timing chains is really cheap insurance. They can be had for cheap. As far as timing the car it may be a challange, if you haven't done it. $50.00 is not that bad to time it. I'd probably do it, or at least have him show me how.

Chris98Gt

Yea my dad knows a guy a the ford dealer that will come and time it for me, so i guess thats the way i'll do it.

oxfordgt

Timing stock cams is very easy. I am throwing an engine together this week and am almost finished. Here is the easiest way.

install heads with just springs and valves in
then install lash adjuster and cam followers
turn the crank so that the key is at 12' oclock
install cam so that the timing mark is twards the top and bolt down the cam caps
line the mark on the chain (I sure hope you marked your chains) with the mark on the cam gear (driverside first)
line the other mark with the mark on the crank gear (spin the cam with a wrench on the nut to get the marks lined up) DO NOT TURN THE CRANK
Do the same with the passenger side
Install chain guides
Install tensioners
Double check and make sure all marks are still lined up and rotate the crank 2 full turns to check for PTV
If you are useing stock cams this way will work everytime.

98MustangSTL

Oxford....What happens when you replace the timing chains?

Chris98Gt

The Pi heads I bought still have the stock cams in them, but I'm wanting to upgrade the cams. Plus they were used so I need to take em to the machine shop and let him check em out and do a valve job on em and what not..

96GT226410

It's very easy to time the engine with stock parts. All you have to do is line up the dots. There are timing marks if it's OE. If you're near me, I'll do it for a six pack.

oxfordgt

Fold the chains in half and mark the links on either end

oxfordgt

You can use the same method I said above with aftermarket cams but if when you spin the crank and you have contact then you will have to buy adjustable cam gears. Most aftermarket ie VT, crane will line right up it is just comp that you will have problems with or any custom ground ones.