Intake camshaft out on rotation?

[red_phil]

Hi all

While checking the valve gaps I noticed that the Exhaust Camshaft lines up as expected when the timing marks are lined up.
However the Intake Camshaft seems to be one tooth out on the camchain.
I believe the way it is rotated it will arrive 1 tooth worth late in the cycle.

Has this been done on purpose by a previous owner as some performance enhancment I haven't heard about?
Or did they just simply get it wrong?

If it is wrong, should I fix it? Will this have caused any further damage elsewhere in the engine?
The engine seems to run with it like it is.

Thanks for any knowledge.
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[dgyver]

I am surprised it runs without bending a valve. Maybe safe with stock cams. I would put it back to the stock setting of 18 links from #2 to #3.

[scratch]

If they're aftermarket valves...

[DerekNC]

I'd be willing to bet it was a mistake. When I put mine back together everything looked okay but the 18 link check only turned out to be 16 or 17.

[red_phil]

OK, I'll take the valve cover off tonight and have a count on those links.
It is possible that the number of links is set correctly but the chain has stretched so it is a bit out of rotation.

That'd mean a new camchain is due I suppose.  

[dgyver]

It is possible that the number of links is set correctly but the chain has stretched so it is a bit out of rotation.

That is very doubtful. There is not much load on the chain to cause it to stretch.