cam sensor is screwed. how do i find TDC to replace it?

SatisTraction · Dec 25, 2008

The previous owner tried replacing the cam sensor assembly and got it out of time. now the truck surges and i keep a cam sensor code.

how do i retime it correctly?

i looked but did not see any timing marks on the balancer or a timing mark on the block.

it is a 96 3.0 ranger

thanks
chris

Hibs · Dec 25, 2008

pull the #1 spark plug, insert a screw driver or your figure and slowly turn the motor over until the piston reaches TDC. you'll have a 50/50 chance whether you're on the right compression stroke.

SatisTraction · Dec 25, 2008

that is it? you could be off by 30* or so. there are no marks??????????

to be sure you are on the compression stroke all you do is make sure air is coming out

Hibs · Dec 25, 2008

that's all i've ever done to find TDC when dropping in a distributor, and i've never had a problem.

SatisTraction · Dec 25, 2008

thanks

shadetree · Dec 25, 2008

Hibs said:
pull the #1 spark plug, insert a screw driver or your figure and slowly turn the motor over until the piston reaches TDC. you'll have a 50/50 chance whether you're on the right compression stroke.

NO!NO! Geeze there is only one compression stroke. Don't put anything in the sparkplug hole. Disable the engine so it will not start. Remove the #1 sparkplug, place your thumb/finger over the hole. Slowly bump the engine over. You will feel the compression against your thumb, then look for the timing marks on the crank pulley, and align the marks with 0. This will be TDC. No 50/50 nothing, it will be top dead center.

shady

SatisTraction · Dec 25, 2008

where are these "timing marks"?

I have rebuilt several engines and can not find these.

just so you know i am not a moron i do have a 69 camaro with a ls1 that i built and installed. including all the wiring.

Hibs · Dec 25, 2008

shadetree said:
NO!NO! Geeze there is only one compression stroke. Don't put anything in the sparkplug hole. Disable the engine so it will not start. Remove the #1 sparkplug, place your thumb/finger over the hole. Slowly bump the engine over. You will feel the compression against your thumb, then look for the timing marks on the crank pulley, and align the marks with 0. This will be TDC. No 50/50 nothing, it will be top dead center.shady

sorry my terminology was a little off this morning. the piston will come up to the top twice, sometimes when you are turning it over slow by hand it's hard to tell if it's the intake or exhaust stroke, that's why i said it's a 50/50. if you are turning it over by hand, sometimes it's easier to tell if you have a long screwdriver resting on top the piston to gauge when exactly the piston reaches TDC. i actually bought a tool that threads into the spark plug hole, it's got a spring and a rod on it that reaches down the cylinder that way you don't have to worry about the screwdriver bouncing around. i would NOT recommend bumping it with the starter, it's all ways seems to move to much on each "bump". He mentioned he didn't have any timing marks, so this is how you have to do it.

Wicked_Sludge · Dec 25, 2008

there is a special service tool for properly aligning the CMP...

thegoat4 · Dec 25, 2008

Never stick anything into the spark hole unless it's something that can be spat out by the engine without damage, like a drinking straw. It's not very likely you'd break a screwdriver off in your cylinder, but if you get it cocked right on the upstroke, you could gouge the piston, creating a hot spot and knock, or deform the spark threads, or both.

Do like shady says. You ought to have an indicator above the crank pulley, slightly to the right when looking at the engine's front. You probably have to peer in between the power steer pump and AC compressor pulleys to actually see the stupid thing. It's a lot easier to just figure out when #1 is compressing, then stick a straw in there and rotate the crank until the straw just stops pushing out.

This http://www.samstagsales.com/SirTool/st2800.jpg is the special tool you're supposed to use. Either get the tool or have a shop do the work. I've seen the tool listed elsewhere for $30, but I can't remember where.

Hibs · Dec 25, 2008

a straw is a good idea, i never had one laying around in my tool box. lol.

fixizin · Dec 30, 2008

SatisTraction said:
i do have a 69 camaro with a ls1 that i built and installed. including all the wiring.

Dude, that SS RAWKS!... don't worry about the "period purists", who insist every bolt must be made in 1969, lol. You'll be much happier (and less polluting) with the modern LS1 in there... (tranny type?)

My brother just got his '68 (RS?) Camaro (mild+pep 327 build) out of the paint shop with the SUNOCO color scheme (sans race numbers and decals)! Gorgeous dark blue with two WIDE yellow stripes! (Sunoco was happy to provide the exact paint codes--free advertising for them, lol.)

4x4fun · Dec 30, 2008

look for "Keys" they should be facing each other. crank up cam down, if it even applies,

Wicked_Sludge · Dec 30, 2008

this is an OHV engine...you cant see the cam without tearing the water pump and front cover off.

4x4fun · Dec 30, 2008

water pumps are for losers :iamwithstupid:

cam sensor is screwed. how do i find TDC to replace it?

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