From: Bob Coleman To: "'V-Max@sayegh.org'" Subject: RE: Vmax TIMING Message-ID: Can't find the original message so I'll just reply to this reply. The relationship between #1 TDC timing mark # #1 cyl at TDC is via your timing chain. The reason there are 2 marks is because you have 2 timing chains. The mark at #1 (T1 on the flywheel) indicates #1 cyl should be at TDC at the same time both intake & exhaust cam timing marks (small holes at the end of each cam)for the rear bank (#1 & #3) should be pointing straight up at the mark on the end cam cap. The same goes for the other bank (T2 on the flywheel) except now you're looking at the front bank (#2 & #4 cyl). When the T2 mark is at the pointer, #2 should be at TDC. Note here: After #1 is confirmed at TDC, rotate the crank 430 degrees to get #2 at TDC. In other words, one complete revolution back to the T1 mark & then another 70 degrees to the T2 mark. Now the cam timing marks (small hole at the end of each cam should be pointing straight up at the mark on the end cam cap. What you described makes it sound like one of your timing chains jumped a tooth (or 2). You will have to remove your cam covers to check this of course & if one of them has jumped then it sounds like you need to check a couple of things. Mr. Max has an automatic chain tensioner for each bank that pushes against a chain guide. The chains should be tight. There are three guides for each chain to help insure it doesn't jump. Might be your chains have stretched beyond the tensioners ability to keep it tight. Not a good thing. Carb problems aren't going to cause your mechanical timing to go out of sync. It is possible to "jump" the offending chain back to it's correct position if it's tight & no other problems are found (I:E: worn/loose chain sprockets etc.). The manual shows you how to do that since it's required to time the chains in the first place. If you aren't interested in diving this deep into your engine, then have your dealer check this out. However as you may have heard from this group many dealers don't know squat about a Vmax so be sure they have experience doing this type of thing. I live in a big city & my dealer has NEVER torn a Vmax motor completely down. I've completely rebuilt mine (pistons, rods, bearings, balancing etc. to pump it up) so I guess either Mr. Max is very reliable or people where I live take theirs to another dealer.