Overthinking? Timing Chain Dots

[pontiacgp]

It's always been confusing to me why they didn't set the timing dots to be TDC compression stroke.

they can't with a 4 stroke engine

 

[lilbowtie]

Why might that be??

 

[pontiacgp]

Why might that be??

the dots line up twice cause the crank rotates 1/2 of what the cam rotates, once at 12 and 6 where #6 is at TDC and again at 12 and 12 when the #1 is at TDC....

 

[lilbowtie]

I understand that - the cam actually rotates at 1/2 the crank. When the dots line up dot to dot (12 on the crank and 6 on the cam) your on the exhaust stroke. When the dots are both at the top (12 on the crank and 12 on the cam) it's on the compression stroke. I just don't understand why the gears were not marked to be dot to dot compression stroke

 

[pontiacgp]

I understand that - the cam actually rotates at 1/2 the crank. When the dots line up dot to dot (12 on the crank and 6 on the cam) your on the exhaust stroke. When the dots are both at the top (12 on the crank and 12 on the cam) it's on the compression stroke. I just don't understand why the gears were not marked to be dot to dot compression stroke

I don't know why they didn't put it dot to dot for the TDC on the compression stroke but you can leave it at dot to dot and position the rotor to #6 on the cap. The firing order is the same on the Buick 350 and SBC

 

[MrSony]

I don't know why they didn't put it dot to dot for the TDC on the compression stroke but you can leave it at dot to dot and position the rotor to #6 on the cap. The firing order is the same on the Buick 350 and SBC

Thats the plan.

 

[Cajun83HO]

I've never had this problem on an Olds or chevy, but I've never torn into a Buick. Soon I will be replacing my timing set on my 307 olds just to be safe.
Confused now.

 

[lilbowtie]

I've never had this problem on an Olds or chevy, but I've never torn into a Buick. Soon I will be replacing my timing set on my 307 olds just to be safe.
Confused now.

There will never be a problem because there is no problem. There is only one way to set the timing. But when your setting the distributor or degree the cam you need to be on the compression stroke