Hello, I have a question regarding timing the evo 4g63, I currently have my evo 9 head off the car. I was doing valve springs/retainers and valve seals. Almost done, just have to do the exhaust side. Having a family and work does not allow me to work on it as much as I would like.

But my question is now timing... since I have the head off the car it was brought to my attention that I should of installed the cams with the head already bolted. But I do not want to cause any issues with the valves bending based on bolting the head down. I guess has happened from what im being told.
This is my plan.

I was thinking about having all the pistons halfway in their bore and bolt the head down loaded(all cams torqued) then adjust all the timing marks on the engine then toss the timing belt on and rotate the crank a few times to make sure everything is timed correctly.

I just don't want to bolt the head down and the while I do that I don't accidently bend the valves.

Any ideas on how you guys do this would be great.

 

Time the engine so that cylinders 1 & 4 are at TDC. Install the head on the block without the cams. Install the cams so that the dowel pins are as close to straight up (12 o'clock) as you can get them. Install the timing belt while lining up the cam timing and making sure the crank doesn't rotate.

 

Is this how everyone is doing seems more difficult to install the head and then the cams after the head is already out of the car. Couldn't you just have all the pistons in their bore half way bolt the head down and then line of crank gear oil pump and then put the timing belt on?

 

Trying to torque the cam bearing caps on a head that's loose on a bench would be a bit of a pain, in my opinion. I'd rather have it bolted to engine and not moving around. When you install the cams with the dowels straight up and near their corresponding timing marks on the valve cover, the valves for cylinders 3 & 4 are going to be open, if even just a little bit. If you install the head in that condition, and go with the method you are describing with the pistons half way in each bore, make sure you rotate the crank so that pistons 1 & 4 come up. If pistons 3 & 4 come up, they could contact the valves. It's an unnecessary risk. Again...just my opinion. Do whatever method you're comfortable with.