Timing Gear Sets - (60 - 65) and 1966 and Later

[lizziemeister'sV6]

Hello - recently had a NOS 305 V6 cam reground (more performance) for a freshly rebuilt 351E - I understand that the camshafts are all basically the same as far as where the dowel pin is located on the cam Correct? - OK now in 1966 (my motor year) the factory changed the position of the key way in the cam gear in relation to the dowel pin on the cam - which would change the timing of the crankshaft and camshaft - my engine shop assembled my motor and had the front waterpump housing on - I NEVER looked at the timing gears to make sure the marks was "straight up" or what gear set it has - earlier or later - THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG! - engine will barely run with ingition timing at 35 degrees advanced - anything under that it dies after it coughs gas out the carburetor - I'm thinking crankshaft to valve position is OFF - I'm thinking wrong cam gear set. What gear set should I be running or am going looking at this wrong? NEED HELP PLEASE - Thanks in advance! Cliff

[George Bongert]

Greetings fellow club members!

RE: Timing Gear Sets, there is no need to locate another timing chain/sprocket and/or timing gear set, since there is a simple way to "re-time" your current application. Turn engine over until number 1 cylinder piston is at top dead center (TDC) then remove the camshaft timing sprocket/gear and rotate the camshaft until both the intake and exhaust valves for number 1 cylinder are closed (requires removal of valve rocker arm cover to determine that both valves are closed,) re-install timing sprocket/gear, and your engine should then have proper valve timing. I have done this myself on more than one engine where the camshaft sprocket/gear has had issues with timing mark or camshaft keyway locations being out of position due to a manufacturing error. Mistakes like this are not supposed to take place during manufacture of engine components and are rare, but they do on occasion happen.