5 Minutes of Tips for Timing a 4.6L 2v Engine (Easier Than You Think!)

[@joshuaregan866]

I clamped my cams exactly like you said in this video and they spun the opposite way. It was quite the startle

[@ttrbykir]

Oh no! Any damage?

[@KnockedupNout]

Why are you so uncomplicated?? You're a life saver! Please make more videos! It's really hard to find info on a 1999 ford xl f150 4.6, but even moreso a 2000 dodge intrepid r\t!

[@evanschnoor8583]

What if one of my cams rotated because the guide for the chain snapped?

[@lethal_anxiety_2609]

Bro, the Vice grips !! Seeing that saved me. I got the wrong cam holder tools. So when I released the tensioners the cams slipped and I couldn’t figure out how to get the chains in time. Until I saw the vice grips. I order the right holder but it’s another 2 day out. Good shit, I can put everything back together days early. Thanks.

[@stevenbrown1613]

Did you have to completely remove pickup tube, or just the oil pump bolts and ply out etc. Wondering if I can change pump without dropping whole pan, engine in truck non removed

[@henrym3780]

Does the sprocket on the crank come off easily for the oil pump swap? I have to replace the little crankshaft key in mine... will I have to remove the oil pump do do that? Can that be done while the engine is in the car?

[@iamdjnam]

Yeah it slides right off nice and easy. Definitely can be done in the vehicle.

[@anthonygallo4402]

How do you determine where to put the white dots on the chains and gears

[@iamdjnam]

The single link lines up with the dot on the crank sprocket. The double links like up with the notch on the cam sprocket.

[@bengordon7635]

the chain tensioners .. when I took them off no gasket was there , the new ones had no gasket either ? is there supposed to be a gasket ?

[@iamdjnam]

The old style iron ones don’t come with a gasket and don’t need a gasket. The new plastic ones do. No matter what engine I’m working on I always use the old style iron ones.

[@buddyv3457]

Hi Platinum Garage, Thank you for the timing chain tips; hope you are feeling better by now...

[@iamdjnam]

Definitely all better. Thanks for reaching out!

[@THERIGGEDONE]

How did you know which direction the cams were going to rotate?

[@iamdjnam]

It’s based on the position of the valve springs and cam lobes. Every engine is different.

[@andresmonroy5962]

I have a question i removed the left hand side without the vice grips and spun a bit what do i now ? anything helps

[@iamdjnam]

You can very simply spin the cam so that the dot on the gear and the colored link on the chain line up.

[@curtisgoff4392]

Hey I have a crown Vic intake on my 2004 Ford Explorer 4.6 it has a different coolant hose routes so I put the old aluminum case on the front of it and capped off the back one but I have a random misfire in cylinder 5 and lean code reading is the intake my problem?

[@iamdjnam]

Cylinder 5 is drivers side up front. Check the coil and spark plug. The intake should be fine.

[@abdil29100]

Is the vise grips will it work on the 4 valves as well and thank you for your help

[@iamdjnam]

Not sure, they might not fit with 2 cams per head but I don’t want to give you false info and say no. I genuinely don’t know.

[@abdil29100]

@@iamdjnam thank you very much I appreciate you

[@trevorhartfield5975]

My cam shaft gear looks like the one in your thumbnail. No bolt in the middle. I can’t seem to find any video with my style cam

[@iamdjnam]

You reuse the gears they’re part of the cam assembly. Just line the links up and you’ll be mint.

[@Felipebustamante510]

Thanks a lot,you've answered my questions.

[@iamdjnam]

No problem thanks for watching

[@sKid-ts7hr]

Can i use my old tty bolt's? Im not in America here it's not availabl. If yes same torque as the ford recommend?

[@bbinkley1861]

So I got a copy of ford workshop Manual. It says have woodruff key at 12 o’clock to set timing.

[@iamdjnam]

Not the motor I was working on 🤷‍♀️

[@charlescullen7932]

What if the factory chains don’t have a different link? I’m trying to time mine and my chains don’t have different links

[@iamdjnam]

Match them to your old chains and put dots with a marker.

[@charlescullen7932]

@@iamdjnam the chains were already taken off and don’t know which think was where

[@iamdjnam]

Can’t really help you then. They must have links.

[@charlescullen7932]

@@iamdjnam I haven’t seen any but appreciate it anyway! Your video will help so thank you

[@iamdjnam]

No problem. Not sure which kit you bought. From what I remember if you line the chains up on a table, the two furthest links get marked. Definitely google it but I’m almost positive that’s the trick.

[@VicenteRuvalcaba]

Thanks for the tips! I had a question tho. I want to change the head gasket on my 1997 f150 and reuse the timing kit (it got replaced about 20k miles ago). Can I use the vise grips to hold the cam, remove the head, swap the head gaskets, put the heads back, and then put the timing chain back just like it was before removing the chains? I hope my questions made senses. Thanks in advance.

[@iamdjnam]

You can do that. You’d just need to line up the links on the chain with the dots on the cam gear. When your head is off I suggest sending it out to get machined and checked for leaks. Also use new manifold hardware. I prefer stainless.

[@VicenteRuvalcaba]

@@iamdjnam Thanks for replying. I will definitely take your advice and apply it. I wish you the best. Thank you!

[@m.n2819]

Would that work on 5.4 engine too

[@iamdjnam]

Yes

[@joakimjohansen6389]

I am about to replace the chain, tensioners and guides, and i dont have the cam locking tool, how do i know what direction to lock the vicegrips? or is this just a stupid question?

[@joakimjohansen6389]

@@iamdjnam thanks! Its a 2000 crown vic 4.6 2v Btw. Just for my own understanding. When i set the engin at TDC is both heads at TDC?

[@iamdjnam]

Yes they are

[@maximumredline97]

Is a 97 f150 4.6 a 2v engine? R they the best?

[@iamdjnam]

yes, it is a 2v engine. they aren't the best, they are non PI heads and were still plagued with the spark plug blowout issue. later PI 2v engines were fixed.

[@maximumredline97]

@@iamdjnam i noticed on my motor that my intake is aluminum, I know some of them were plastic

[@iamdjnam]

@@maximumredline97 aluminum intake is non pi heads. the plastic intakes have deeper runners and larger bores. you will gain a few hp using one.

[@millakidify]

So I didn’t know to lock the cams with a holder and they moved so now I’m stressed out any suggestions?

[@iamdjnam]

If you want to be positive buy the cam tool kit. If you’re off one tooth you’ll trash the engine. This motor is easy to time. Just line up the links with the chain with the dots on the sprockets.

[@millakidify]

@@iamdjnam is it a hard job?

[@iamdjnam]

Nope

[@millakidify]

@@iamdjnam what did you use to move the cam sprockets?

[@iamdjnam]

Vice grips like shown in the video

[@johnnyp4578]

do you think a loose chain that may have skipped a tooth cause a misfire on cyl 1 & 6

[@iamdjnam]

johnny finesse cylinders one and 6 are on opposite sides. I doubt both chains would skip. Check your plugs and coils

[@kevinarce6120]

can you help me out I can’t figure out what went wrong I did a head gasket repair in my 03mustang gt and the head I pulled from the junkyard wasn’t timed so I tried turning the cam slightly and it rotated 180 degrees with the head on my engine but it put it on perfect timing points after I put on the timing chain the engine is now unmovable I can’t loosen it please help I don’t know where I went wrong

[@Dan-0.0]

So if the cams move right, and anything was damaged, how do you time the cams???

[@iamdjnam]

You’d line the dots on the sprocket with the dots on the chain. But you may have to rotate the cam a bit to allow the chain to line up on the crank correctly.

[@HOTRODRICO]

u thought u got covid and didnt film the rest of the video what kinda CR4P is that ?

[@joseloyola5867]

Sweet video. You should do a cam video on this engine it would be sick

[@iamdjnam]

I ended up selling it, no more 4.6 for me. I like my 2jz much more.

[@LWilson]

What do I do if the timing marks on the camshaft sprockets are way off? I forgot to check them after I turned crankshaft to TDC and I already took my timing chains off and now I dont know how to safely turn my camshafts without damaging valves. Im doing head gasket replacement as well so I should be able to just align the camshafts as close as I can before I replace my heads, right? I would really appreciate any advice on how to fix this.

[@iamdjnam]

Make sure your crank is at the correct marks, then use the links on the chain to correctly line up your cams.

[@michakibler6730]

Turn crankshaft one more spin. Its 2/1 spin ratio

[@DudeOhNo]

I was in the process of timing mine and my cam clamp tool slipped and my cam snapped forward. What should I do not sure if there's any damage.

[@iamdjnam]

No damage. Just rotate it back and line the links up on the chain and gear.

[@DudeOhNo]

@@iamdjnam really appreciate the response man, does it matter if the cam spun multiple times? my father tries to "fix" it and he spun it more than once

[@iamdjnam]

@@DudeOhNo how many times? Might’ve hit valves at that point and done damage.

[@DudeOhNo]

@@iamdjnam i honestly don’t know he told me 5 ish but i wasnt there to see it

[@iamdjnam]

Good lord. It’s an interference engine. You can’t just spin the cam. Get a leakdown tester to see if he did damage.

[@xrpfrank6445]

How do you fix it if it snapped back?

[@iamdjnam]

Line the links and dots up

[@michaelmorningstar707]

would the timing tip he showed work on a 04 mustang v6 3.8L

[@iamdjnam]

No unfortunately sorry

[@jacksonbustamante5941]

Hey there I’m trying to put a timing chain kit on a romeo motor but the driver side chain when I get all on there it way way to tight and I don’t know what’s wrong could you help me out please?

[@iamdjnam]

First, make sure your kit is for a Romeo engine. Second, if your dots and colored links line up but is tight, it sounds like your cam moved a little bit. Remember, the slack should be on the curved arm (the tensioner will press and put tension), and the straight rail should be tight.

[@Ewaugh69]

Can this be done without pulling the motor? Thanks, good vid

[@iamdjnam]

Yes it can

[@Ewaugh69]

@@iamdjnam hazAh! Thanks

[@Xxcody3232xX]

I just did a timming job and no cylinder has above 30psi. I lined the marks up on the crank at the 6 oclock.. the cam chains are lined up with the marking and blue links. Could it possibly be off still?

[@iamdjnam]

Do a leak down test and decipher where the compression is being lost. These engines are interference so chances are you will need to remove the heads. Did you turn the engine of by hand to ensure nothing was hitting? Sometimes you can feel the piston hit a valve. I just purchased an explorer with a spanked 4.0 and I can feel the contact when turning the crank bolt.

[@Xxcody3232xX]

@@iamdjnam i turned it over by hand. Nothing hits

[@iamdjnam]

@@Xxcody3232xX leakdown test.

[@aro5276]

If I'm just doing the passenger side, do I need to worry about putting a vicegrip on the driver side too?

[@iamdjnam]

I’d put it there just in case.

[@aro5276]

@@iamdjnam I noticed that where the mark is on the cam sprocket, the link on my chain is off by one to the right on both sides. Could this be something indicative as problematic?

[@michakibler6730]

Is the real reason you didnt finish the video because BOTH cams tend to turn COUNTER clockwise? Vise grip on the driver side was holding wrong direction? If that's not good info you should take the video down bro you could cost people major serious problems

[@iamdjnam]

@@michakibler6730 Nope. The grips worked minty in the orientation I had them. What actually ended up happening is a small pebble went down into one of the cylinders. I kept thinking it was piston to valve contact when in reality it was the pebble holding everything up. Took me 2 days to try to get that bastard out.

[@rickyrickharris4908]

So is the viscrits one the left side ( driver side ) holding the wrong way. Will both cams turn counter clockwise??

[@thedobermangang3503]

good video my brother ,,i got 2004 maruader 112,000 miles on it..eventually im gonna have do my engine it has that rattle sound only when u frist start it up for about few seconds then it goes away..maybe timming chain tensioner latting the chain slap to the oil fill them or hydraullio cylinder in the tensionerare alittle worn

[@iamdjnam]

I think they stopped the cast iron ratcheting tensioners in 04 so you may very well be correct about the symptoms you're having!

[@markblomer5867]

The plastic tensioners have seals on the engine side that let the oil bleed out overnight, even with a good oil filter. Replacement seals are available, or use the old style cast iron tensioner.

[@allout2560]

Can I ask a question about my situation

[@iamdjnam]

Sure

[@allout2560]

Well I set my car to tdc I thought dot was at six o clock on the crank an did the timing job the cam on the right moved like 30 degrees not like a accurate measurement but based on the mark on cam kinda overlooked it so I didn’t put it right. but basically put everything together with that cam like that an it sound locked up when I Tried to start it

[@allout2560]

I opened it back up the valve covers so far but I don’t see any damage up top top cylinders everything still look cool but do u think it ruin the engine 4.6 sohc

[@allout2560]

And can you show us how to time a motor that maybe off time

[@berniceperry8898]

@@allout2560 more than likely theres a valve hitting the piston, just hope it didnt knock a hole in the piston..you'll have to retime it again...

[@theroadjack3437]

Do you have a link to the kit used?

[@iamdjnam]

www.ebay.com/itm/Timing-Chain-Kit-W-Water-Oil-Pump-fit-1999-2000-Ford-Mustang-4-6L-V8-GT-ROMEO/223999473467?fits=Year%3A2000%7CModel%3AMustang%7CSubmodel%3AGT&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item342768b73b:g:I7UAAOSwvqdesJQ4

[@martin4.665]

Great video 💪👍

[@iamdjnam]

Thanks bud! Appreciate the support!

[@Nelval573]

So on the cams how do you know were the letter points when timing

[@iamdjnam]

The mark on the cam will only line up with the dark link on the chain one way. Make sure the slack is on the tensioner side.

[@Nelval573]

@@iamdjnam ok so as long as its lined up doesnt matter what way the letters face as long as its top dead center when i put links on were they go its set

[@iamdjnam]

@@Nelval573 correct. and like I show at 5:35, make sure the slack is on the tensioner side.

[@Nelval573]

I get confused to when they say dont turn cams or it will bend valves ive tooking the chains off before setting tdc as long as the piston is on top how do you know wich way the cams go without timing chain

[@Nelval573]

When you put the tdc on did you have to turn crank to put on 11 and 12 oclock position while chain was on or with chains on and then vice grips

[@midnightbandmakers5466]

Why did your oil pump only have 3 bolts? And when you put that oil pump back on was there anything that went between the pump and the block?

[@iamdjnam]

Not sure about the bolts, there shouldn’t be anything between block and pump. I do know one guide bolts through the pump so maybe that has something to do with it.

[@mikelongsta5699]

98 GT Vortech V1 kit MHS stage2 heads cams, full exhaust long tubes full pi bolt ons 450 horsepower but a ring was my issue stock non pi shortblock now I'm putting in a terminator shortblock and am putting an intercooler and change pullies looking for more than 12# of boost hopefully if not might switch to turbo

[@iamdjnam]

Yeah I sold the cruddy ford and went back to a 2jz

[@mikelongsta5699]

@@iamdjnam what happened after this video to the 2 valve

[@iamdjnam]

I put it in my mustang and quadrupled my profit from what I paid for the car

[@rigbykevin2182]

Expedition starts after timing tensioner replacement

[@charlescullen7932]

So everything is lined up to the video but I’m still a link off from the different to the dot on the cam gear

[@charlescullen7932]

On both sides

[@uwipped]

Great video!Thanks,I think I'm gonna tackle mine,but I'm keeping the engine in which will make it more difficult...smh

[@iamdjnam]

Nahhh you’ll do great it’s not as hard as you think

[@dfox984]

Wish you finished the video lol would’ve helped on my crownvic

[@CHVZAAA]

How it go I just received my kit from carparts with the oil pump aswell for a 97ltc But can't see to find a vid on the sprockets 😅😅

[@08_crown_vic]

Where are you located?

[@iamdjnam]

NJ

[@08_crown_vic]

@@iamdjnam how much would you charge to change a timing cover and possibly switch timing chains and guides?

[@iamdjnam]

If you bring me the engine I can do the work for $300. Will be extra if you want the oil pan and oil pump removed and replaced.

[@08_crown_vic]

@Platinum Garage and if it's in the car?

[@iamdjnam]

Won’t do it.

[@thedobermangang3503]

thanks alot my brother

[@mr.robust3140]

Keep making videos , excuse the old youtube from when I was like 12 but hmu on insta @Slow.3.0