We’ve had a few inquiries as to how to set the timing on a 3.5L Toyota or Lexus 2GR-FE and, having taken one apart this week to replace rattling camshaft gears, took a few photos on how to set the timing of both the primary and secondary chains across the 4 cam gears and crankshaft. For the Bank 1 side (back of the engine when installed):
Bank 1 Intake Mark
Above is the backside of the Bank 1 intake camshaft gear. The yellow chain link should line up with the single dot.
Bank 1 Exhaust Mark
The Bank 1 secondary chain’s yellow link should align with the single mark on the gear.
The primary chain on the Bank 1 side:
Bank 1 main mark
As seen above the bank 1 primary chain’s orange mark should line up with the single mark just above the retaining bolt, between the “house” mark and another single mark.
Bank 2 side (front of the engine when installed):
Bank 2 Intake Mark
Above is the back side of the bank 2 intake gear. The yellow link of the secondary chain should line up with the two dots on the back of the gear.
Bank 2 Exhaust Mark
The bank 2 secondary chain’s other yellow mark should be aligned with the two marks on the exhaust camshaft gear.
Bank 2 overall marks
The bank 2 primary chain orange link should line up with the “house” mark on the intake camshaft gear. The yellow secondary chain and orange primary chain links do not need to line up.
Crankshaft Mark
The yellow primary chain crankshaft mark should align with a small dot on the crank sprocket.
As Eden Prairie and Chanhassen’s independent Toyota and Lexus repair shop, we hope the above help a technician sort out the odd chain timing of the Toyota and Lexus 3.5L 2GR-FE!
As owner of Phoenix Auto Innovations, an engine reman facility in Phoenix AZ, we just built one of these the other night, all data has it totally wrong, you rock!!!!! saved our “you know whats”, good job and amazing description!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!