Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications 3.0L Duratec Cam Timing

What positions I need to put the block and cams into when I put the timing chain on? I have a 2001 3L block and '98 SVT cams. I remember reading on the old forum that some 3L block has mis marked timing marks.

The blocks themselves do not have any timing marks on them. You need to buy yourself a shop manual. It will show you how to match up the colored links on the timing chain with the marks on the crank sprocket and cam sprockets.

I have a shop manual and an Haynes manual. It says putting the woodkey in 11 o'clock position. My question is though, I read on the old forum that there was a mismark on some 3L block. I'm also not sure if I should put the keyway at the same 11 o'clock position on the 3L.

The mis-mark is NOT on the block, but on the cams AFAIK. Get yourself a copy of the TSB for full details.

Do you think a dealership will print me a copy of the TSB for free?

Sure, that's how I got my copy of it when I wanted it last summer while chasing my cam timing red herring. I doubt it hurt that they were in the middle of the "spring guard" fiasco with me and were trying to keep me happy.

If the only 'new' part is the 3.0 block why are you bothered, fit the 2.5 cams & chains etc as they were when you removed them from the 2.5,as you checked the marks when you stripped it rebuild it to the 3.0 block the same...

As a side note Airnight, use the "2.5" crank position sensor wheel position when you slide it onto the crank. Even though you are timing a 3.0, you are using the 2.5 front timing cover which locates the crank position sensor in a far different location than the factory 3 liter timing cover does. Just pretend it's a 2.5 you're rebuilding...

I'm using the heads from a '98 SVT, that's why I need to find out about this mismarked timing deal.

The TSB number is 98-25-14. It details how the arrows on the back side of the cam sprockets can be mismarked by as much as 30°. It goes on to describe a method for verifying engine timing by counting chain links. It does NOT describe how to time the engine.

You cannot go wrong if you line up the colored links on the chain with the marks on the front of the cam sprockets and the mark on the crank sprocket. If you do this, the engine will be correctly timed every time. Don't even pay attention to the arrows on the back of the cam sprockets.