Yea I used a wrench on the cam flats and a impact on the bolt, but when I let go of the wrench it moved forward it was somewhat on a lobe, and the spring tension kicked it forward.

 

I mean 1 crescent on each flat then clamp the 2 together to freeze the shafts in position.

 

Well I'm screwed either way as the cams moved. I'm going to be working on it tonite. I know #1 is at tdc, so I know that's right. And I found some instructions in setting the cams back in time to line up the int and exh marks. It says u have to rotate the crank 45 degrees and then turn the cams, then put the crank back.

 

Got my gears on, chain, guides, new squirter and hopefully everything lined up. I ended up rotating the crank about 45 degrees past tdc and setting up my cams to their respective marks, I was actually 180 degrees out on both. I rotated the crank by hand about a dozen revolutions and no loud thuds or binding that I felt. Went ahead and got the cam cover, plugs, and coils back on, but waiting for my new timing cover gasket and new serpentine belt to button everything up.

 

Well with the possibility of damage to the head or bottom end. I started taking it back apart to get the head off. Got the intake unbolted, but can't get it out of the engine compartment lol. Then on to the exhaust, I got all the bolts and nuts off and the flange unbolted, but can't break it loose from the head. Guess it will come out with the head.

 

The intake manifold is a bit tricky; you have to be sure that a couple of the "studs" are really bolts. Once you get them out, then it's just jostling the thing into the right position.

As to the exhaust; I bet you missed one of the bolts/nuts and removed another bolt/nut. It is a "blind" job and there are other studs down there. Been there, done that! It should just plop off.

 

Yea I got intake studs out, but I forgot some of the wire harness clips. I looked up some pics of a exhaust manifold and saw 10 fasteners, I only took out 8 lol. Will hit it again tomorrow evening.

 

I ended up just leaving the exhaust manifold on the head and undoing the 3 flange nuts for the cat pipe. Then lifted the entire thing off lol. The pistons didn't have any marks on them from hitting a valve. So will look at the head on the work bench and the turn over the engine with the starter and see if I have any problems with piston slap, then I may have to pull the oil pan to check the rods if I don't find an obvious problem.

 

I wouldn't turn it over with the starter. The noise of the starter will drowned out any small noises you're looking for. Probably make a big oily, watery mess also.

Since the head is off, you've got no compression. You should be able to turn it by hand via the lower pulley maybe. Just a little back and forth rocking of the crank should help you locate any loose spots or binding.

 

I'm confused. You put it back together then took it back apart to inspect it without trying to start it?