does anybody know how to line up timing chain anf cam gear?

[Martin]

none of the books I have give a good explanation of how to line the timing chain and cam gear.

I did the head gasket on my 1980 528I and once I got it all back together it runs a little ruff (shakes the car. and has a hard time getting past 5200 rpm)

I suspect that the exhaust valves are open a little when the cylinders fire but I cant time it out with the distributor.

I know on vw there are alignment marks for this. just can't find anything in print for this. Please help. THANKS

[T.Hanson]

Read Technical FAQ on the subject here, Home page, left column.

[Martin]

so there just aren't alignment marks on the cam gear?
I checked the FAQ, and there is room for error if you are only going by lobe position.
I am very surprised that the Germans would leave something, that needs to be so precise, to chance.

[T.Hanson]

Positioning of the cam is easiest if you understand overlap. That is, the pointy part of the lobes on #6 are up, evenly spaced under the rockers, when #1 lobes are in the perfect place to bolt on the gear.