Cam Towers

[Captain Obvious]

Yeah, I didn't even mention inspecting the threads on the head. So between sketchy heli-coils which probably led to uneven pressure, and the burrs on the rear journal, it's no surprise you had issues with alignment. Aren't PO's wonderful?

So I bet you feel pretty good about it now that you have that cam spinning free, don't you? It's great when you find the real underlying issue(s) and fix it!

Awesome!    

[Trnelson]

It is satisfying to get to the root of an issue, one of the reasons I love this new to me hobby. 

The only thing more satisfying than having the cam turn freely is having to use a wrench due to all the pressure from the springs and rockers!  Had a rain day today and was able to get the top end done, mounted to the block and the timing chain installed. 
Question, the new timing kit I received, from an unnamed vendor, seems to be of low quality. The chain has a master link, no bright links which makes sense since it is seemingly made to be cut to fit and cam sprocket doesn’t have the “v” notches to set the timing. I had my old chain and was able to lay them out side by side and they are the same length. I counted links between bright links on the old chain and replicated that on the new one. I installed it and it does match up so I feel like it will be fine, I’m just disappointed in that they feel like generic parts. I’m not sure if this is normal due to the age of these cars or if I just don’t know where to shop. Take a look at this pic and see what you think. The top “homemade” bright link is the master link, notice the lack of notches in the sprocket, yes I did check both sides to be sure...

[Captain Obvious]

Yeah, the timing kits seem to be all over the place, but regardless of which one people use, there doesn't seem to be a lot of chatter about failures due to cheap or inferior versions. In other words... The timing kits all seem to be acceptable. That said, there are two things that I would really try to avoid. 1) Master links, and 2) cam gears without timing marks.   

I'd really prefer a continuous chain. What brand is that?

As for the bright links, you can just do what you did and it's fine. Those timing links line up every 22 rotations of the crank (11 rotations of the cam), so you really only need them once:
https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/62752-bright-links-on-timing-chain-line-up-every-11-rotations/

The timing gashes on the back of the cam gear are more of a nuisance. If everything you're putting in is new, you can/could/should be able to assume that there is no stretch and the timing is fine on hole #1, but it would be nice to have those marks. That's the Cloyes aftermarket cam gear, right?

So how new are you to this hobby? You seem to be doing pretty good for someone new?

[Trnelson]

The timing set is "Engine Pro" brand. I think it will be fine and I'll chalk it up as a learning experience of what to ask about next time before ordering.  I HATE the thought of a master link in the timing chain!  While the cam gear didn't have the notches it did have the indents labeled 1,2,3 so I do feel confident that it is properly timed.  

Just got the Z last summer, I've always liked to tinker with stuff but never really got much past basic maintenance items and bolt on accessories.  I finally am in a place in life where I have the means and garage to really tear into an engine.  When I was younger the problem was that whatever I was working on I typically had to be able to drive it to work the next day!  I'm not a mechanic by trade but I have spent the last 26 years around golf course maintenance equipment, maintaining reel mowers to cut perfectly at .100" is a pretty delicate undertaking.  During my first job after college I worked with a great mechanic on taking 8 old Toro mowers and combining them to get 5 of them to operate and function properly.  He taught me a lot about laying things out, cleaning up all the parts and how to assemble things.  In a nutshell I know just enough to be dangerous but thanks to some great books,  this forum and no real deadline for completion I have been able to deal with the challenges that pop up on a project like this.

Thanks again for your assistance, I'd like to buy you a beer someday.

[Captain Obvious]

Nice overview on the experience history. I'm no mechanic either, but like you, I have found that attention to detail and cleanliness can go a long way towards success.

And I'm glad to help. That beer will happen someday!       

[240260280]

 

[Captain Obvious]

Well it's going to take the rest of today to get THAT out of my head.    

Hold on.... Some old Aerosmith ought to do it...

Although I did like the S.S. Sensible.   Haha!!

[siteunseen]

Wide OpenThrottle

Boy was I wrong.