At TDC.. timing question

[NemeGuero]

http://img136.echo.cx/img136/4728/imag00026vy.jpg

I'm replacing the timing chain but none of the guide marks match up with the colored chain links like they're supposed to according to the manual. My question is.. do I leave it like that and just replace the chain or do I try to reinstall the chain with the marks matching on the cam sprockets? I think this would require spining the cam sprockets. did I jump teeth? There is a whole lot of slack on my chain.

[Andrew Bohan]

the most important thing is the number of links between dots on the three sprockets. the colored links help you get it right.

something to remember: if you line up the dots and colored links right, they will get further and further off as the engine turns, until it eventually comes back to matching. this is normal, and it means that it's possible for the engine to still be right even though the colored links dont' match up with the dots.

http://www.mountainracer.com/tunetech/ka_swap/1101.jpg
this pic shows an exhaust cam in place of an intake cam. pretend where it says +4 on that cam is really the dot and do it like that.

6 links between (not including) idler dot and exhaust dot
9 links between idler dot and intake dot
6 links between intake dot and exhaust dot.

good luck

[NemeGuero]

GREAT! Thanks.. but now that my dots aren't on the outside edges... how can I count the links between dots?