I need to know the correct position of the crankshaft without the handy dandy Ford Crankshaft Holding Tool.

The picture in my Ford OEM Service manual show the crank key at 12:00, but makes no comment on referance to the key location.

Next is to position the LH cam to 12:00 and the RH to 11:00.

Next to position the crankshaft holding tool on the crank and rotate counter clockwise then the handle going off the picture (lack of a discription in the book) is aligned with a metal dowel.

This new position it shows the key pointing to the left and the the crankshaft timing gear mark pointing to the bottom driverside location but again no verbage or discription on what this location is? Is this TDC?

I have to admit I was really suprised not to have a more refined or simple method to time this engine. A casted line on the head in relation to the cam timing mark would of been a heck of a lot easier or a pointer of some sort.
Directions like 12:00 and 11:00 in reference to the cam, with all those teeth leave a margin for error. Well anyway thank you and HELP!!!

 

The timing chains should have copper colored links to help gain the correct chain/sprocket time.. The keyway/chain timing mark are as you noted and pictured..

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Thank you for your quick response. It is appreciated.
The chains copper links are worn off. I found out that there was a bulletin about this issue. To be honest I didn't quite understand how they wanted me to mark the chain. I did find out after the fact though with the help of a lot of internet searches and questions
. I took pictures and marked position of the cam and crank locations before I disassembled and believed to reassemble in the same location. I bought it used and the engine I noticed once I dove in was disassembled before. It was kind of a pooch and the fuel economy was horrible. I believe that it was reassembled out of time to start with! I did a valve job and believe that yes performance did get better but not to much because of the timing issue.

I still am at odds that why Ford would not give a value for a degree wheel for the crank or indicate top dead center. The cams I can degree 0 and 30 degrees for 12:00 and 11:00. Without the Ford Tool it is guess work! Do you know if the key location indicated in your pictures are at top dead? Thanks again!

 

Drivers side should be closer to1:00 position and the passeger side at 11:00 position with the crank sprocket position as shown.. Without being prior marked, and the coppernow gone, you may be able to match your chains with a new set as an 'overlay' and paint mark/scribe the links locations.. That way you certain to get the correct positions over a link count.. If the chain links are marked, then the proceedure isn't reallyto bad to set the time and hard to error..