Just got my head back from the shop. What I didn't do, duh, is line up the sprocket with the tool when I took it off. I marked three paint marks on the chain and sprocket to get it back right. Well the sprocket came back all cleaned off of paint marks. And the head was set different. So I rolled the cam to align the arrow up and aligned that with the single copper chain link. Got it all back together and before turning it over I cranked it by hand to make sure it would turn over with binding. But it did bind up.

I see that the only sure fire way to set it is to take off the engine cover and line it up. But with the engine in the car that appears to be a PITA. I've also heard the timing is not set at TDC.

How can I get this fixed without a major tear down? Obviously my copper link is not line up on the crank correctly.

 

I have heard that the Pistons will be level at the sprocket set with the tool in place. Is that with #1 going up or down? Any and all info is appreciated.

 

Yes when you have the timing tool locked in place all 4 pistons are even in the cylinders. But if you don't have your marks you really need to pull the timing cover and line it all up correctly. It will take you more time, but better than pulling it apart to fix newly bent valves.