Vanos removal question.

[Oldmactech]

Sorta mild weather tomorrow so I’m looking for little jobs to do to get ready for pulling the head and I was thinking I’d pull the vanos. I’ve done a rebuild before so I know the procedure but since I will be pulling the cams and head I am unsure as to if I need to put it in TDC with the flywheel locked before pulling the vanos.

Anyone? Thanks.

[Emory39]

no TDC if you are going to remove the cams or not spin the engine once having the timing chain off.

[Oldmactech]

I plan on pulling cams mostly to subtract some weight from the head since I don’t have a cherry picker and no help lifting the head either (yet.)

One of my Biggest concerns is screwing up the timing and ruining the whole thing.

Would it be smarter to find TDC just so I have it benchmarked?

[Emory39]

You don't have to, but it's a good idea.

[270_BMW]

If you want to hop on Youtube and checkout someone named 'The 50s Kid' he has tutorial for the M54 removal and timing. Could be of some use.

[Oldmactech]

Thanks, watched his stuff numerous times. Will be again..

[X5only]

I would still get the timing tool. It's cheap (like $49 from ebay) and it's always smart to check timing before buttoning things up after doing that type of work, even if you think you didn't mess it up. It could save you hours of aggravation, and you will kick yourself hard for not doing that little step before buttoning up the engine.

[Oldmactech]

Thanks. I have the timing stuff, just more struggle than I’m willing today. Probably after the Super Bowl.