NOBODY told me about
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
To install the new set, forget about TDC 
and align the dots (with pushrods removed or rockers loose) to meet at 12 and 6 oclock as palmbeachvette76 pictured and 63mako described. This position is not #1 TDC on the firing stroke.
To get the #1 firing stroke after gear set installation, continue to rotate the crankshaft another full turn so the dots are both at 12 o'clock and install the dist so the rotor meets #1 on the cap. No need to check the piston position for TDC when you can see the gears.
Here is a pic (not mine) of the relative position of the 0 mark and the crank key and cams gear at install position.
(Notice that it is also a couple teeth from the keyway as you described yours)
Just for fun, you can rotate your new install to simulate the gear positions in your first pic.
You are correct about the arrow.
Here is a nylon set that uses an arrow like your did.
Notice the dowel location is close to 90° from the timing mark and when installed by the "matching method" the dowel is always close to 3 o'clock.
It's common to have the same amount of slop in the chain as you have found in the oem setup. I doubt it ever skipped. I have never seen a tooth skipped without serious damage to the original plastic cam gear.
I put a .0240" hole in the galley oil plug to help lube the chain, but that's for another discussion.
and align the dots (with pushrods removed or rockers loose) to meet at 12 and 6 oclock as palmbeachvette76 pictured and 63mako described. This position is not #1 TDC on the firing stroke.To get the #1 firing stroke after gear set installation, continue to rotate the crankshaft another full turn so the dots are both at 12 o'clock and install the dist so the rotor meets #1 on the cap. No need to check the piston position for TDC when you can see the gears.
Here is a pic (not mine) of the relative position of the 0 mark and the crank key and cams gear at install position.
(Notice that it is also a couple teeth from the keyway as you described yours)
Just for fun, you can rotate your new install to simulate the gear positions in your first pic.
You are correct about the arrow.
Here is a nylon set that uses an arrow like your did.
Notice the dowel location is close to 90° from the timing mark and when installed by the "matching method" the dowel is always close to 3 o'clock.
It's common to have the same amount of slop in the chain as you have found in the oem setup. I doubt it ever skipped. I have never seen a tooth skipped without serious damage to the original plastic cam gear.
I put a .0240" hole in the galley oil plug to help lube the chain, but that's for another discussion.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
No, was shooting for Wednesday the 28th. Thats My birthday. But had a set back this week. One of my pet dogs "AMBER" has both of her lungs collapsed. I'm dealing with this and the three kids and wife
. Not a fun day today! Anyway to get back on the subject, I have the cam, timing chain, radiator, shroud, and transmission shield on. Tomorrow depending on weather I put my dog down or not, Ill start the lifters.
. Not a fun day today! Anyway to get back on the subject, I have the cam, timing chain, radiator, shroud, and transmission shield on. Tomorrow depending on weather I put my dog down or not, Ill start the lifters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Wow your day sounds about like my week (another story) I started to change my heads Thursday night got the reconditioned ones back on today and got side track cleaning things as I went. Should have it running Monday waiting on new plug wires as I damaged one removing it. I was just wondering how your cam change was coming. I was thinking about doing one at the same time I was replacing the heads I decided to hold out for a new crate motor next year (I hope). Looking forward to hearing how the cam works out for you.
Sorry to hear about your dog.
Beat of luck tomorrow
Scott
Sorry to hear about your dog.
Beat of luck tomorrow
Scott
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Well today was a bit better then yesterday. I still have my dog. They took another 600 cc of air out of her chest. She's not in pain or suffering now. I just have to wait and see now with her. I did get some things accomplished on the car tonight. Put in the fuel pump, timing chain cover, harmonic bal., chrome oil pan, and adjusted the lash and have it set at TDC compression stroke for cylinder one. All that remains is the intake/carb./valve covers/water pump/ fan/ steering/ and distrib,/ liquids. I may still get this fired up foir my birthday yet...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Today I was able to place the intake on, put my new water pump on and found out it's a no go. Was so worried about it fitting didn't think about pulley lining up. So I repainted my "old" one and placed it on. Got the fan on, Rad. brackets on, lower hose to rad. on, all belts and fan on, carb. and fuel line installed. Now I just have to finish the intake, upper rad. hose, liqueds, prime oil, prime carb., valvae covers, spark plugs wires, and distrib., and then Turn the key 
.
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