CAM Sensor Alignment -- Why Tool? -- 97 5.0

[mbruffey]

Do you really need a cam sensor alignment tool if you carefully mark the original position and do not move anything internal, such as when you are changing the lower intake manifold gasket? What gives? Mark

P.S. I did order the tool from NAPA, but I am terribly curious why I need it.

 

[SoNic67]

I did it without a tool, I thought was easy. Maybe because is identical with adjusting the spark timing advance on a carburated engine?
Measure the relative position of the "flag" relative to the "window" - that's the important one. I took a pic on mine to be sure...

As you can see it happend to be at compression #1. Why compresion? Because any engine will stop at the point of maximum resistance - that is at the compression stroke of one of the cylinders. So I think there are 8 possible positions (to find the flag) for a V8 and 6 for a V6.

 

[Turdle]

You might be able to get it by eye but the tool will get it perfect. Ignition timing was mentioned. I have often seen the ignition timing jump out of spec by just bumping the distributor while it was still loose--trying to tighten the bolt. Eyeballing this adjustment would be just abut as close, but this one needs to be dead on IMO.

 

[mbruffey]

Thanks for the responses, especially the pics.

The align-by-eye is one thing that puzzles me, because, according to the manual I have (official Ford manual) you are still supposed to sight across the align tool perpendicular to imaginary line "x"--unless I am misreading the manual.

I plan to scribe the base against the block, then the rotator against the base--and take a pic. You have what, 20-24 points on that cog max?

 

[SoNic67]

The position of the center pice (rotator) will be set by the internal position of the oil pump shaft (it has a 1/4" hex shaft) - so that will have to be whatever it is - try to slide it in kind of close of the position it came out (will rotate some angle at extraction/insertion because of the angled gears).

The only measurement is the relative position of the internal flag to the sensor window (the cutout on side) on the first picture that I posted above.
Basically you rotate the OUTSIDE till it matches that relative position to the internal flag and the you clamp it down.

The position relative to the engine bloc is not relevant - you need just to be able to plug in the connector.