According to the manual, the timing chain is supposed to have 3 bright links for timing marks. In line with magna buff's post in this thread [http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34111] my chain has no marked links. :confused:

The balance shaft chain has the marked links, so was able to set that up no drama.

After much noodle scratching, I came to the conclusion that with the guides installed, cylinder 1 at TDC [compression], cam in & the dowel in the cam sprocket at 12 o'clock, it should not be possible to install the chain wrongly. :pray:

Anyone care to agree or dispute with me on that? Always willing to learn.

I guess when I get the engine back in & try to start it, I'll know whether or not I'm right.
I wonder how badly it would run with the timing chain 1 link out of synch. :think:

no there is a lot more to it

the two counter balance shafts have to oppose each other
one must not assume the chains were fitted properly

so you mark the old chains before removing them

you should remove the oil pump and both counter balance shafts to ensure they are at the correct position before installing

the timing chain can be set wrongly also the crank keyway is at 3 oclock and the top cam is in its locating dowel number one cyl compression

...at this time of night, the crank key was a bit below 3 o'clock. I'll check that tomorrow.

The other way to align the timing chain would be to count links between each timing mark on the sprockets. Unfortunately, I believed the manual & expected to find bright links on the chain, so I didn't do that before disassembly. :doh:

As for the balance chain, it did have the bright links, & they lined up with the timing marks on the sprockets, so the balance shafts must be correct.