3.7 timing question

[danabryant1979]

Hi guys. So my crank key sheared off and and I was hoping my valves didn't smash my pistons. I didn't take the heads back off to verify. So I have a few questions. When I did the timing I didn't check for the compression stroke vs exhaust stroke, does that matter on this engine? The v6s were both pointing up , is it still able to be 180 degrees out? It runs rough now like it's missing 2 cylinders. Another question is if it can be 180 off it should still build compression correct? So I should be able to check for no compression in the cylinders? Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[DadOSix]

Hi guys. So my crank key sheared off and and I was hoping my valves didn't smash my pistons. I didn't take the heads back off to verify. So I have a few questions. When I did the timing I didn't check for the compression stroke vs exhaust stroke, does that matter on this engine? The v6s were both pointing up , is it still able to be 180 degrees out? It runs rough now like it's missing 2 cylinders. Another question is if it can be 180 off it should still build compression correct? So I should be able to check for no compression in the cylinders? Thanks for the help in advance.

If I were you, I’d stop and pull it back down to valve covers to try and verify the correct positions. It is entirely likely that you could still build compression and have it miss like a bucking bronco (no ford pun intended). The 3.7 can indeed have valves strike the piston and do further damage. That is why i’d stop and verify.

It may be wise to borrow a scope and look down the spark plug ports at the top of the pistons for damage.

Then after you get it timed back the right way, you can move along with your tests.

For the big question is : Why did the key shear off in the first place? The damage may already be done with that being the end result of that event.

I hope not! Good luck!