Hi, Does anyone know how to set the cam timing after its been lost? I know there are markers to set piston one at TDC, but im not sure about how to get the cams right?

the best way to do it is to buy a pair of cam locking tools. they're easy to use, very accurate, and only cost £30-40 at your local motor factor. i know the laser brand ones are good quality and a perfect fit. see haynes for fitting instructions.

Thanks. how would i use cam locking tools to rest the timing?

Ive already lost the timing (my mistake), and i dont trust the marks i put on the camshaft pulleys to reallign them correctly.

Are there any factory marks that should be on there and what do they look like?

Think you need some slightly specialist tools to determine TDC.

Theres supposed to be a marker on the crank pulley and the engine casing to set the TDC on the bravo. Probably not the most accurate method, but it should suffice (unless anyone has any warnings?).

yes the mark on the crankshaft pulley is fine to use for piston 1 TDC. then you fit the cam locking tools by removing a bearing cap on each camshaft and fitting the locking tool in its place, one on each camshaft. if you dont know how to use cam locking tools, read haynes, it is very very easy, and fool proof. it will guarantee that the inlet and exhaust camshafts are in perfect position, you cant get it wrong (unless you remove the wrong bearing cap on either camshaft, but that requires complete stupidity).

if you want to get piston 1 TDC more accurately than you can using the mark (not neccessary imo) then you can stick a rod in the piston 1 spark plug hole and watch it rising as the crankshaft pulley is turned. when the mark on the pulley is in position, you should have noticed that the rod stops rising. stop turning the crankshaft pulley as soon as the rod stops riing, the check that the mark on the pulley lines up with the indent on the sump. then select 5th gear to lock the crankshaft. easy peasy

if you turn the crankshaft pulley or either cam pulley more than a small amount, valve to piston contact will occur, and that can easily mean valve damage. if you turn everything very slowly and carefully you will spot contact (hear and feel it) before you damage any valves.

manic_monkey said:

Thanks. how would i use cam locking tools to rest the timing?

Ive already lost the timing (my mistake), and i dont trust the marks i put on the camshaft pulleys to reallign them correctly.

Are there any factory marks that should be on there and what do they look like?

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these tools lock the cams in the right position and can only go one way so with them installed the only thing you need to worry about is having the No.1 piston on firing TDC

i think you are prob about 8 years too late, but 10 out of 10 for effort