XJ550 Cam Phasing

First let me say that I have swapped out cams and sprokets from a doner engine. Measured and verified that everything was in specication.

Now comes the possible issue. When I bolted the sprocket to the cams there is not a mark on the cams to align with the dot on the sprocket. So is there a mark to align too or can you attach the sprockets to the cams any 180 degrees and it stays in phase? I mean can I torque my intake cam down and then unbolt my exhaust cam from the sprocket spin it 180 degrees from the way it was and bolt the sproket bak on and everythings COOL! Help me understand this, please?

 

It is critical that the valves open and close at the right place in the engine revolution. The cam timing accomplishes this. If you don't have a manual, I would suggest that it is a wise investment. If the valve timing is off, you take the chance of bending valves should the piston hit them. I will look in my manual when I get home to verify the markings.

 

I have a manual and the supplimental manual also. The question still has not been answered.

Is it possible to get your cams out of phase? If you remove a cam sprocket how do you know which end to bolt it too. Theres one bolt hole at 12:00 and one at 6:00...does it matter?

There is nothing in the manuals about this. I'm relying on the knowledge of experience of this group.

Let me ask another question. How would I know if it was out of phase?

 

You can bolt the sprockets either way; there is no alignment marking for this. Though they are "flip flop" specific, the manual will show which way.

 

Dots on cams align with marks on cam caps. As long as the crank is at T and the dots on the cams align with the marks on the cam caps, you should be ok.
Use loc tite on those sprocket bolts.
By phase you mean timing right?
A Yamaha Virago V twin requires checking for proper phasing between their separate top ends after assembling them. It will run out of phase but won't have much power.
Phasing is not an issue on an XJ engine.

 

Thanks David3aces. It all makes sense know.

I found my fault about 30 minutes ago. I did not see the dot on the cam itself. The picture of the dot in the manual is awful it looked like they were pointing out the sprocket, so I thought the timing was se by the dots on the sprockets...BAD!

Do you think I need to take the head back off to inspect for bent valves? When I was rotating the crank I didnt hear or feel anything. This will be the 6th time I've had this apart.

 

If you didn't feel anything; you weren't off enough to damage anything.

When you don't have it right ... you know.
The Engine BINDS.
And there isn't any mistake about NOT feeling it.
Clunk ... Stop!

 

Hey, 7th time's a charm...

Highly doubtful you bent anything, you would have known it. Just be sure you turn it over at least 4-5 revolutions BY HAND, then re-check the dots and the crank/camshaft positions before you spin it under power.

 

What size of wrench is used to turn the cams?

 

Don't turn the motor over by the cams. Use a 19mm open-end wrench on the left hand end of the crankshaft. Be careful not to bash into the ignition pickup coils in the process.