Replacing the cam synchronizer on this truck. After taking most of the top of the engine off, I can get to the part FINALLY :)

Setting TDC seems to be tricky if not impossible with a single person, since I can't turn the crank and check the #1 spark plug hole for the compression stroke at the same time.

Question is....

1. I rotate the crank manually, a little at a time, so the cam synchronizer will allow that the alignment tool to fit ( without specifically setting the engine at TDC )
2. Remove the cam synchronizer with the alighnment tool still attached.
3. Set the alignment tool on the new cam synchronizer and install it with the tool on.

Wouldn't this work, since I'm keeping the cam synchronizer locked both times ( removal of old and installation of new ) with the alignment tool.

ON this same line...when i set the #1 piston to TDC based on the timing indicator and the marks on the crankshaft, the cam synchronizer is not set to allow the installation tool on top of it. Could that be off, from being worn or is TDC a bit of a range so the alignment mark might be true, but the cam synchronizer would be alighted a bit before TDC?

Any thoughts/guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks
- Ravi

 

Welcome to the forum

Take all spark plugs out except #1, easy to do on the 4.0l OHV
Rotate crank until you feel compression resistance from #1, pull out #1 spark plug, next TDC is #1 TDC Compression stroke.

Alignment tool is placed on synchronizer before installing it, do not rotate crank with tool in place

More info here: Ford 3.0L, 4.0L, and 5.0L Camshaft Position Sensor