Black Links On K24a2 Timing Chain, Necessary?

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10cjennings

I lost tension while installing a 50 VTC gear into a 2007 K24A2 and had to re do the timing. Currently I have everything as it should be: with the motor at TDC the two dash marks on the cams line up, and the two dots on the cam gears are between links as they should be, with 8 links in between them, 16 dots. The only thing which isn't technically as it should be are the black links on the chain. The FSM says the dots on the cams should be between each pair of black links, and I did not do that. Are they simply reference points or is it necessary for them to be aligned as it says in the FSM for the motor to run correctly? I generally follow the FSM exactly but setting the timing was a pain and I figured I'd ask before taking it apart and doing it over. #1 · Dec 29, 2013 I lost tension while installing a 50 VTC gear into a 2007 K24A2 and had to re do the timing. Currently I have everything as it should be: with the motor at TDC the two dash marks on the cams line up, and the two dots on the cam gears are between links as they should be, with 8 links in between them, 16 dots. The only thing which isn't technically as it should be are the black links on the chain. The FSM says the dots on the cams should be between each pair of black links, and I did not do that. Are they simply reference points or is it necessary for them to be aligned as it says in the FSM for the motor to run correctly? I generally follow the FSM exactly but setting the timing was a pain and I figured I'd ask before taking it apart and doing it over. Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · Dec 29, 2013 Re: Black links on K24a2 timing chain, Necesarry? Once the cam pulse plates lines up and the cam gears slots line up, the timing is alright. My links aren't in between the black links but everything lines up. #3 · Dec 29, 2013 (Edited) Re: Black links on K24a2 timing chain, Necesarry? If lining up the black links on the chain isn't necessary, what are they there for? I didn't mess the the cam pulse plates at all, and because everything else lines up (TDC marks, dashes on cam gears, and dots between links) and the holes in the pule plates line up with the holes in the #5 cam cap I'd think the pule plates are correctly aligned as well. Here's a pic of it at TDC.

#4 · Dec 29, 2013 Re: Black links on K24a2 timing chain, Necesarry?

10cjennings said: If lining up the black links on the chain isn't necessary, what are they there for?.. Click to expand...

For quick assembly on the factory production line. 0 Reply #5 · Dec 29, 2013 Re: Black links on K24a2 timing chain, Necesarry? The black links are for fool proof timing of your motor. I know when my k20 was properly timed it had 9 links between the dots, but i know for a fact the k24 is different, i remember seeing a post recently about this, might wanna look it up. #6 · Dec 29, 2013 Re: Black links on K24a2 timing chain, Necesarry? Ok thanks, I'll seal the timing cover back on. #7 · Dec 30, 2013 Re: Black links on K24a2 timing chain, Necesarry? Make sure the dots on the cam gears are INBETWEEN two links, not in the middle of a single link. #8 · Dec 30, 2013 Re: Black links on K24a2 timing chain, Necesarry?

10cjennings said: The only thing which isn't technically as it should be are the black links on the chain. The FSM says the dots on the cams should be between each pair of black links, and I did not do that. Are they simply reference points or is it necessary for them to be aligned as it says in the FSM for the motor to run correctly? I generally follow the FSM exactly but setting the timing was a pain and I figured I'd ask before taking it apart and doing it over. Click to expand...

I always line up using the black links and it works perfectly. But... The first time you crank the motor over the links won't be "in the right place" anymore. #9 · Dec 30, 2013 Re: Black links on K24a2 timing chain, Necesarry? you can count links and get the timing correct. the links are the easy fool proof way to set the timing, and as stated once you spin motor over links will not line up until a certain amount of rotations then the will line up for one rotation and start the cycle all over. suppose to have certain number off links between cam gears and then certain number from cam gear down to crank gear. if the motor is not in the car or reassembled completely i would go ahead and redo with the links where they should be just to be on the safe side. would really suck to get it buttoned up in car and go to fire it off and timing be off a tooth. 30min now may save you 4 hrs later on. just my two cents #10 · Dec 30, 2013 Re: Black links on K24a2 timing chain, Necesarry? If it is already timed properly, why go through it again just so the black links line up? Seems a waste to me. #11 · Dec 30, 2013 he mentions he has correct amount of link inbetween cam gears but says nothing about if he has correct amount of links from cam gear down to crank gear. i would rather waste 15-30 min now than have to pull if back apart after trying to crank it and timing be off. as stated its very possible to get timing correct by counting link(and possiblely very easy to some), its just i prefer to line mine up using the colored links so there is absolutely no doubt as to whether i got it correct or not. #12 · Dec 30, 2013 I guess but I don't see how timing can be off if the two cam pulse plates lines up and the VTC gears slots are horizontal to each other (TDC)? #13 · Dec 30, 2013 Who counts links? Just make sure the holes in the pulse plates line up with the holes in the cam tower and you're guranteed to be in time. Insert Quotes Post Reply

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