Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

No start, backfire after timing chain replaced

MudhornTJ

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Original poster
Joined
May 24, 2025
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8
Location
Abilene, TX
So, I was replacing my rear main seal on my 4.0 and noticed a lot of play in the timing chain. Replaced timing chain, lined everything up (i thought) but everything back together and tried to start it. Turned over then heard strange noise then it stopped turning over. Tried again, and had a backfire and no start. Took everything back apart and removed plug 1 and verified TDC but the cam sprocket was not linr to line. So kept crank from moving then turned that cam sprocket to line up with crank. Reinstalled everything tried again to start but same thing but seemed worse. HELP! Ran ok before I started the work.

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Yeah, was thinking that last night. Will have to check again. If the marks arent lined up at the compression TDC, should i remove the chain and turn the crank only to the next TDC and see if they line up? I'll also have to check the cam phaser, I removed it to try and prime the oil pump. Probably off too.
 
Ok. TDC on compression. Should have air pressure come out when it's there (valves closed). Line up marks good to go, right? Nope. On compression, the cam sprocket is at 11:00 or so. Crank sprocket is also 11:00 or so at TDC. Getting tired of messing with this.

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That's exactly what was expected from your symptoms, 180° off. Chain off, turn the cam sprocket, align it with the crank, chain back on.

Edit: Please ignore that.
 
Last edited:
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Turn the crank a full turn, so the cam sprocket aligns. Make sure it's exactly aligned with the crank. Give us a photo straight on.

Did you change anything with your crank and cam position sensors?
 
Admittedly I've never done this job, but my understanding was that it needs to be aligned like this. Both sprockets have keyways so all you have to do is line up the marks and you're golden. Seems like you're 180 out on the big sprocket, but @OldBuzzard seemed to think the same thing but rescinded his opinion, so I'm questioning what I thought I knew.


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Yeah, it's been a few decades, so I'm rusty.
With the crankshaft pointing like it is, it's at TDC. With the cam pointing like it is, it's between exhaust and intake stroke. Rotate the crank 360°, which will bring it back to TDC. And it will bring the cam 180° to the top of the compression stroke. Then verify those marks are really exactly aligned.
 
Well, don't forget to time your cam phaser too. SMDH... took it out to try and prime the oil pump because it sat for about 3 weeks while I was working on it. Thought it just ran the oil pump. Didn't know it needed to be timed. So, in the end, I just lined up the marks, timed the phaser and started right up. What did I learn... I won't do this job again... lol
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts