Hello everybody, some tricky question here for the experts: I'm now in the engine reassembling stage and, although we had care about signing the camshafts position before removing the cams, after some cleaning the crayon on the passenger side intake camshaft has vanished, while it is still there on the exhaust camshaft. The point (strange) is that apart from such sign, there is not cut to match with the camshaft support. Is there any kind of reference to consider apart from such cut? Thanks. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Not that I'm aware of. The lack of index marks was the first thing I noticed when I tore down my first Ghibli engine. Maserati made cam setup even harder than Ferrari. You're going to need to work out the relative starting positions with dial indicators and a degree wheel.
Most of the cams I have seen do have marks. they are black and put on with an electric pencil. Sometimes the cam needs to be cleaned to find them. Attached is a photo showing the marks. Note for the left head there are actually two marks, along one and a short one. The picture shows a new cam for the left and a used cam for the right. From your picture it is possible the cam marks are on the bottom portion. Rotate the cam and clean it. If you can not find the marks then you need dial indicators to set up the cams and your owners manual tells you the amount the valve is open at TDC usually about 1.7-2.2mm Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thank you for the quick answers. The goal of finding the references on the cams was to make a quick reassembly of the engine, so, first of all, I'll bring with me a magnifier lens to check them better. If this wouldn't work, I just say to the "engine man" to install the cams following the old school method (so with degree wheel and dials).
Hi! I just thought to say that you have to install the heads in accordance to thecrankshaft to the right position so you do not damage anything.. If one of the heads are already installed and you do the second, make sure that BOTH the heads with its cams are "synchronized" to the crank. Cyl 1 must be on Top dead center on compression stroke NOT overlap TDC.
Are these markings true timing marks or just assembly marks? I can imagine doing the degree-wheel method on a Khamsin (Ghibli probably the same) with the engine in situ being really problematic. Best, Jack.
I have found the timing marks on the Maserati engines to be quite accurate. But that only works for an engine with new parts and the original cams. In any case it is always best to check the timing with a dial indicator. Most of the Maserati engines have the flywheel stamped with TDC so a degree wheel would not be needed if you just want to check valve opening at TDC. If you want to check the degrees that the valves start to open and close then you need a degree wheel. This is the most accurate way
