2000 Crown Vic Camshaft

[ttillett]

I have a 2000 CV PI, had to change the passenger side cylinder head and had to remove the camshaft. Now I must put the right half cylinder head at TDC. How can I be sure to get it correct??

[ModMech]

www.crownvic.net/tech/headswap.htm

Clean chain, lay out straight like this: I========================================I

Mark the end two "I" links with a marker or something, get the dimple mark on the left cam gear pointing upwards (crank marking should be pointed down), advance the crank slightly Clock-Wise (~10*). Install RH head & cam with gear dimple straight up. Install chain so marked link coorisponds to dimple, then install chain on crank matching up mark on chain with alignment notch on crank gear. Install tensioning components and guides.

[ttillett]

Thanks for the info...I wish I had waited a few more hours before working on the car Sat. a.m. I have installed the timing chain, cover, and a bunch of other stuff. I turned the crankshaft by hand withoug difficulty w/out any noticiable binding are pressure. Does this mean that I have installed the camshaft properly??? If not I dissassemble and follow your directions.

[ModMech]

If the timing chain is not EXACTLY correctly timed, it will BREAK something expen$ive.

[ttillett]

Thanks again, because it's better "to be safe than sorry", I've taken everything apart again. I will assemble again tonight or sat am. Any other advice from your or anyone else is more than welcomed.

[radioman2002]

It's rather unfortunate that you removed the old camshaft without first putting the car at TDC. This way you can just replaces the old with the new camsaft at TDc and away you go. I have even changed entire head assemblies without much fuss by just putting the engine at TDC.

[ttillett]

I did have the engine at TDC before removing the timing chain. However, I was unable to locate the camshaft holding tool haynes reccommended. I shopped all the auto parts store (Autozone, Oreilley, NAPA, Casco...), called the dearlership and even called Matco and Snap on. Snap One told me I didn't need the tool.

Nevertheless, when I released the tensioner on the timing chain the camshaft rotated ccw. Thus requiring me to ensure that I truly returned to TDC on both cylinder heads.

Big UPs to MODMECH, his instructions were right on the money. The care is running smoothly. However, I may have to redo to head gasket. I ran the car yesterday and noticed a considerable amount of smoke coming from the engine.

Now that I know what I'm dong I sure I can redo the job in a few hours but I don't look forward to doing so.

Advice otherwise????

[radioman2002]

Same applies, if the camsaft moves after removing the tension on it, merely use some sort of marker to show you exactly where you were before removing the cain sprocket. I put a small make on the cam shaft with a puch tool and then I use a bright orange or yellow paint, to give me an exact fit, when putting it all back together again, I also just use some light gauge wire to hold the timing chain to one side while working, this makes sure that it doesn't slip and change posiiton , and possibly changing the timing.

[ttillett]

Thanks radioman, your advide was right on. However, I now have another issue with the idle control. I will post another thread if you are interested. Just wanted to say THANKS

[ttillett]

OOPs, forgot modmech. Big UPS to you again.