[DarkGnome]

Ok, so my cam caps broke, leading to a top end rebuild on my 07 dodge ram 1500. I first attempted making "wedges" for the timing chains, but on reassembly my driver side chain slipped. I ended up removing the rest of the front end, and replacing a chain guide (not sure if broke while removing head). First let me start by saying my engine was at TDC based on these 2 facts. Notch on balancer was at TDC, and both cams V8 were at 12 o clock.

So since my passenger side was still the same, all I had to readjust was driver side sprocket. I turned my cam to 12 o'clock, put chain on, and locked it down..... I manually cranked engine 2 full revolutions,,, I ended up with my notch back at TDC line, and both Cam V8s were at 12 0'clock. I figure I am good...? Upon putting everything back together I have a very rough idle / die situation.

1. Can my timing be off a tooth or two and cause rough / bad idle? OR is it either timed or NOT - no In between?
2. Is pinning the tensioners critical in the timing process given I was only readjusting one secondary chain? I did not do this. Again I only moved cam back to 12'oclock and locked it down.

Maybe I have a separate issue / connector / etc, I need to diagnose. If I rev the engine before it dies, it feels like there are times of "smooth" power band... Advise GREATLY APPRECIATED!

 

[ramvan2500]

Ok, so my cam caps broke, leading to a top end rebuild on my 07 dodge ram 1500. I first attempted making "wedges" for the timing chains, but on reassembly my driver side chain slipped. I ended up removing the rest of the front end, and replacing a chain guide (not sure if broke while removing head). First let me start by saying my engine was at TDC based on these 2 facts. Notch on balancer was at TDC, and both cams V8 were at 12 o clock.

So since my passenger side was still the same, all I had to readjust was driver side sprocket. I turned my cam to 12 o'clock, put chain on, and locked it down..... I manually cranked engine 2 full revolutions,,, I ended up with my notch back at TDC line, and both Cam V8s were at 12 0'clock. I figure I am good...? Upon putting everything back together I have a very rough idle / die situation.

1. Can my timing be off a tooth or two and cause rough / bad idle? OR is it either timed or NOT - no In between?
2. Is pinning the tensioners critical in the timing process given I was only readjusting one secondary chain? I did not do this. Again I only moved cam back to 12'oclock and locked it down.

Maybe I have a separate issue / connector / etc, I need to diagnose. If I rev the engine before it dies, it feels like there are times of "smooth" power band... Advise GREATLY APPRECIATED!

being off by a tooth or two is not going to give you a rough idle. the computer would detect and attenuate.

everything is crucial in the timing. you mess it up you can completely destroy the engine, as i am sure you already figured that out. follow whatever directions you have. i never did the timing on you model engine, but doing the timing is easy, especially after doing the timing on an old diesel engine. gas engines aren't as picky as diesel's! but besides the point. i cannot tell you how to do the timing exactly on your truck, because you tensioner might be different, but if they say do this or that in a service manual follow it like the law. just try your best to get everything aligned perfectly. there is already machining error in the parts, which is why it is not having electronics to compensate.

i do not know what is causing your rough idle. but i wouldn't start with blaming the timing set even if it occurred following replacement.