So my problem is during a head gasket replacement, the camshafts & cam gears (still connected) were removed without the gears being at TDC.

I've tried searching but I can't seem to find any information on how to align everything back properly (with the gears already having been removed). I'd appreciate the help, it's pretty urgent. thanks.

- the engine is a B16A3 on a 95 del sol

 

So there are NO cam gears installed? Never seen it. Mechanical timing requires the gears to be present.

 

Pics?

 

set the bottom end to TDC and go from there.....

 

Stock camshaft gears? They have marks to help align them to TDC on #1 and as B_Swapped_93 mentioned, getting crank in the right place first is step 1.

 

They also have a woodruf key. It's kind of hard to install them the wrong direction on a cam.

 

True - the keyway is your friend!

 

Yea they're stock. I have already aligned the bottom end. I guess my concern (cause i don't know much about it) is if the bottom end is at TDC, and I put back the camshafts with the marks facing up, is everything ok and aligned internally?

Or would the head not be right because the camshafts were removed not at TDC. I know these are noob questions but I just want to be completely sure before i even think about starting it up.

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

If you set the bottom end to TDC, and set the top end to TDC, you'll be fine. Just make sure it's all correct after you've put the timing belt on.

You'll also want to buy/rent/borrow a timing light to make sure your ignition timing is set correctly, or the car will never run right.

 

Here are 3 pics I took:

This shows the indent aligned with the groove, this means the bottom is aligned is it not?


Here are the gears with the arrows facing up.


Here is just the engine from overhea to see if everything looks ok



For some reason I'm hesitant because the gears were removed lets say, the left pointing west and the right pointing east (not really sure how they were). Then put back on with both facing up (with bottom end aligned), not put back on how they were and then turned to TDC. So wouldn't the valves not be in place? or because of the tension they would bounce back to its original position after the camshaft removal.

 

If your arrows were pointed in opposite directions, then they were installed incorrectly.

Take out spark plugs
use a long screwdriver to gently place in #1 cylinder(closest to the timing belt)
Use a 19mm with rachet and spin counter clockwise until the piston reaches the top.
Look at pulley and mark to verify TDC

In the pic up there ^ it looks like the exhast cam is retarded 1 tooth on the belt. Follow the guide posted above.

this is another resource to read.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/all-motor-naturally-aspirated-44/how-build-%22reliable%22-lsvtec-b20vtec-1676914/

And this looks like crap btw. All that coked up oil makes me think someone didnt take car of the engine.

 

I said opposite as an example to make the point they were not at TDC before being removed. The bottom end is already aligned.

Still my question/thing i want to make sure is not really being answered. the camshafts were removed not at TDC...the bottom end was then set to TDC, now if I install the camshafts (remember they were not at TDC when removed) with them at TDC, is everything theoretically aligned?

 

It doesn't matter where they are when you remove them. Just put the arrows up and make sure the crank is at tdc and it will be fine.

 

that's all I wanted to confirm. thanks man

 

The engine is without doubt very neglected.

 

I would have at the very least cleaned the cam caps and girdles while they were out.