There is not realy a good way to do this without a Haynes manual and the special tools. The engine has to be at TDC #1, the left hand/driver side cam has to have the slots offset to the lower side and parallel to the head and the rh should be offset 180. The cam spkt then has to be torqued to about 70ftlbs. It is will be nearly impossible to keep the cam in position while the spkt is torqued without the tools. The cam and spkt are indexed only by friction no keys or splines. At least get a manual so you can look at the tools. Remember that this is a interference engine and if the cam timing is off you will bend valves or worse.
Technical Bulletin
11/03
Information is from best available sources and is accurate at the time of publication. However,
Jasper Engines & Transmissions ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY and cannot be held liable for any
results or consequences regarding the use of this information.
Cam Timing Caution For 1997-2003 Ford
4.0L VIN E Engines
The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information concerning the cam
timing for 1997-2003 Ford 4.0L VIN E engines. This information should be referenced
before obtaining service manual information as some publications have erroneous content.
Ford published the correct information in a service bulletin dated May 2001 as part of
a cam chain guide campaign. Subsequent year manuals have the updated information
depending on their source. Basically, the left and right side camshafts require 180°
difference in their phasing. The engine, however, will run if both banks are timed in the
same position. When correctly timed, the right bank camshaft valve timing should be 180°
from the position the left bank camshaft is presently at.
This was driving me crazy I could not figure out why my cams were out 180.
