camshaft sensor positioning on 3.8

10004 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by mustangmike!, Feb 23, 2012

mkrazy1

Discussion Starter · Jun 8, 2009

I am working on a 1995 3.8 Mustang. I had to replace the timing cover and didn't realize I needed to take the camshaft sensor off to mark the position of the vane. I have searched for how to set it and have a basic question.... Since there is only one notch on the crankshaft balancer, is that the mark I use to line up with the pointer on the cover?

After I line that up (with cylinder one on compression stroke), should the vane be up closest to the engine or away from the engine? I'm going to see if I can get the alignment tool afte work today at Autozone. I did see the link to www.asashop.org/autoinc/may2004/techtips.htm and that helped.

Thanks for any help!

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shinerstang

· #2 · Jun 8, 2009

There is a writeup I did in the talk section on this same exact thing. Somebody named Bob asked the question.....

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mkrazy1

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 12, 2009

To answer this for future searchers... I found the large slot in the harmonic balancer is the "26 degrees after top dead center" mark that I needed to line up with, on the compression stroke.

To make sure you are on the compression stroke, remove the plug from cylinder one (passenger side front) and as you turn the crankshaft (clockwise) put your finger over the plug hole and turn the crankshaft until you feel pressure on cylinder one (both valves closed). Now line up the slot on the balancer with the pointer on the timing cover (about 11 o'clock on the timing cover).

While you are turning the crankshaft clockwise, you will see the camshaft position sensor synchronizer will be turning counter-clockwise. As you approach the proper positioning on the crankshaft, the leading edge of the vane should approach the open slot on the camshaft position housing and when you have the pointer lined up, the leading edge of the vane will be exactly in the center of that opening. (The vane sticking up will be closest to the engine)

I wish I had thought of taking a couple of pictures to show both the crankshaft alignment and the camshaft position sensor housing, but I had to get it done and back to the person. I hope this helps.

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shinerstang

· #4 · Jun 13, 2009

mkrazy1 said:
To answer this for future searchers... I found the large slot in the harmonic balancer is the "26 degrees after top dead center" mark that I needed to line up with, on the compression stroke.

To make sure you are on the compression stroke, remove the plug from cylinder one (passenger side front) and as you turn the crankshaft (clockwise) put your finger over the plug hole and turn the crankshaft until you feel pressure on cylinder one (both valves closed). Now line up the slot on the balancer with the pointer on the timing cover (about 11 o'clock on the timing cover).

While you are turning the crankshaft clockwise, you will see the camshaft position sensor synchronizer will be turning counter-clockwise. As you approach the proper positioning on the crankshaft, the leading edge of the vane should approach the open slot on the camshaft position housing and when you have the pointer lined up, the leading edge of the vane will be exactly in the center of that opening. (The vane sticking up will be closest to the engine)

I wish I had thought of taking a couple of pictures to show both the crankshaft alignment and the camshaft position sensor housing, but I had to get it done and back to the person. I hope this helps.

That is how I explained it in the write-up......

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findparts

· #5 · Feb 23, 2012

Question

mkrazy1 said:
To answer this for future searchers... I found the large slot in the harmonic balancer is the "26 degrees after top dead center" mark that I needed to line up with, on the compression stroke.

To make sure you are on the compression stroke, remove the plug from cylinder one (passenger side front) and as you turn the crankshaft (clockwise) put your finger over the plug hole and turn the crankshaft until you feel pressure on cylinder one (both valves closed). Now line up the slot on the balancer with the pointer on the timing cover (about 11 o'clock on the timing cover).

While you are turning the crankshaft clockwise, you will see the camshaft position sensor synchronizer will be turning counter-clockwise. As you approach the proper positioning on the crankshaft, the leading edge of the vane should approach the open slot on the camshaft position housing and when you have the pointer lined up, the leading edge of the vane will be exactly in the center of that opening. (The vane sticking up will be closest to the engine)

I wish I had thought of taking a couple of pictures to show both the crankshaft alignment and the camshaft position sensor housing, but I had to get it done and back to the person. I hope this helps.

The above infomation is great and was exactly what I was looking for..BUT...? Is the 26' degree in that slot on the harmonic balancer at the center of that flat spot....?
Thanks
TC

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mustangmike!

· #6 · Feb 23, 2012

You should really check out the thread he mentioned ...
Read a Repair manual too.

Not that hard to do if hte process is done right before its removed ...

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