Timing chain replacement question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Egg harbor township, nj
Timing chain replacement question
In the middle of replacing a timing chain on an 88. I got all of the top engine pieces out of the way all the down to having the water pump out. I think the next step is removing the harmonic balancer and pulley(?)
How exactly do I remove these next parts ? I wasn’t sure if it would mess up the engine timing. I wanna be 100 percent sure of how to do it before I move onto it.
How exactly do I remove these next parts ? I wasn’t sure if it would mess up the engine timing. I wanna be 100 percent sure of how to do it before I move onto it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Remove, distributor, intake system, water pump, crank pulley, balancer (yes you need a tool), and oil pan to do this. If you didn't mark your timing, yes it will be off. And you will have to rotate engine to install and line up chain as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 48
Remove the timing chain cover and bring the engine around to where number one is firing. Pull the harmonic balancer. When you install the new chain. If the marks on the crank and cam are at twelve O'clock the engine is timed, kinda. If you but the cam mark at 6 and the crank mark at twelve the engine is 180 degrees out and number 6 is firing. This is not in the directions. I called the timing chain company and the CS rep said this is the mistake that most people make. I said why isn't it in the directions. He said they will not tell me, LoL
Don't forget you need to loosen the rocker arms and remove the lifters.
Don't forget you need to loosen the rocker arms and remove the lifters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Line up the notch on the balancer with the 0 degree mark on the timing tab while feeling for compression in the #1 hole. That's TDC, go ahead and replace your timing components, making note of the position of the timing dots on the gears. Replace them in the same orientation. If it's just a timing set no need to remove lifters, unless your removing the cam
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 655
Likes: 164
From: Vancouver Washington
Harmoic Balancer Removal
In the middle of replacing a timing chain on an 88. I got all of the top engine pieces out of the way all the down to having the water pump out. I think the next step is removing the harmonic balancer and pulley(?)
How exactly do I remove these next parts ? I wasn’t sure if it would mess up the engine timing. I wanna be 100 percent sure of how to do it before I move onto it.
How exactly do I remove these next parts ? I wasn’t sure if it would mess up the engine timing. I wanna be 100 percent sure of how to do it before I move onto it.
You will need one of these.
You can piece together one of your own. I did but the time spent on research is hardly worth it. The tool is not expensive.
Last edited by jazfe; Mar 10, 2023 at 11:23 AM. Reason: Additions
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 48
Auto Zone and Advanced Auto rent the harmonic balancer puller for free. All you do is leave a deposit. The harmonic balancer installer is only 25 bucks. So even if they do not have one to rent. They are cheap to buy