e36 AMg engine timing

[e36bob]

Hi Guys,
I have a W124 E36 amg estate which I am replacing the head gasket.
The engine timing at tdc shows both sprocket dowel holes lining up with the edge of the head, leaving the inlet cam in its retarded position.
My exhaust sprocket has a "U" mark on one of the two dowel holes. The sprocket is not dowelled on this .
Im not sure whether the head gasket is the original , but at 191k, this might be the second.
My question is.:
Was the factory setting different to the current set up, if the head has been off before.
Should my exhaust sprocket be dowelled using the "U" mark, and if so, how does the timing differ from standard.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Bob

 

[OzC36]

After much research...I have been told...My M104 (C36) engine...

1. Inlet cam is an AMG modified part and the inlet sprocket 4mm hole is set to "aligned" with the top of the head.

2. The exhaust cam is a standard part but the sprocket is an AMG modified part that changes the dowel hole to the one with the "U" mark.

3. The exhaust sprocket 4mm hole is to lined up approximately 8-10mm above the head (one tooth).

 

[e36bob]

cam timing

Hi OzC36,
thanks for the reply.
I wondered why my timing was set to "standard".
The car ran very well, although not having driven much with that amount of power, I often though she was not that quick, even allowing for mileage etc.
I will use your timing set up.
Did your engine run well with these settings.
Thanks again, I will let you know what happens, might be a while, as I have to repair the wiring loom too.
Bob

 

[abecketts]

any chance of some photo's w124 E36 estates are a bit rare.

Can't help on the loom or timing i'd be straight round to a decent indy but good luck as you bring her back to life.

 

[BlackC55]

Leave the cams where they are and set the crank to TDC and then paint the chain and cam sprokets in relation to the head.

 

[e36bob]

cam timing

Hi Guys,
thanks for the replies.
With regards to fotos as asked by abecketts, send me your email and I will send some, mind, they will be before wing rot set in, another to do job...
Blackc55, I have painted marks on both chains and cams, with crank at TDC and dowel holes in alignment with the head etc, with inlet cam fully retarded.
but the question of the "U" mark still bugs me.
One part of me goes with the safe route, but I would like to set it as per
OzC36 settings, just to see the difference.
Bob

 

[ucr]

Let me know how long the job takes

What is the price of the head gasket

 

[e36bob]

e36 cam timing

Hi ucr,

It would be difficult to assess time taken to complete the head gasket, I guess dealerships have a set time.
I am now ready to remove the timing chain and lift the head off. I estimate my time to complete would be around ten to twelve hours, given that its my first time on this engine and Its not my everyday transport. We all work at a pace that we feel comfortable with.
With the head off, I will replace the valve stem seals, and lap the valve seats if necessary.
I havent got around to pricing the gaskets, bolts etc so I cant help with that.
Are you intending to do the HG on yours?
Bob

 

[BlackC55]

The MB labour time is around 9 hours.

 

[OzC36]

AMG reduced the VVT by adding a collar onto the VVT mechanism. They changed the variable timing from 32-34 degrees on the C280 M104 engine to 26-28 degrees (depending on year and reference book). A new AMG cam was manufactured. The original exhaust cam was used, but the valve overlap was changed by the new VVT setting and also by drilling a new hole in the exhaust sprocket marked "U".

Your car will run well with what you called the standard settings...but it will lack the power and sparkle of the AMG 36 engine.

Why was your car set to the "standard" settings (as was mine when I opened her up), well I can only guess that when your last head gasket change (and mine) was done that the mechanics were either too stupid or too lazy to read the differences in timing settings specified by the Mercedes WIS for the AMG model...

 

[zibpka]

Does this works for the c36 amg as well?
If so, let me get this straight. Should the dowel hole marked U on the exhaust sprocket be used? If so, when im i'm using the U marked hole should the 4mm hole align with the cylinder head with a 4mm drill attached to it?
And how should the inlet camshaft mounted when the crankshaft is set to OT ?


Please can someone guide me through the whole process?
//