Hi - I have a 2007 MCS that I just purchased and the flywheel locking hole seems to be in the wrong orientation. Previous owner said he recently installed a new clutch and flywheel. When I check the orientation through the bell housing, the hole lines up when all cylinders are at halfway down the cylinders, but #1 is falling. I fear I may need to remove the trans and see what the previous owner did here, because I believe the locking pin is supposed to be engaged when cylinder #1 (closest to timing chain) is RISING. Can someone please validate, or guide me to a resource about this? Thx!

 

The flywheel can only go on one way. There is a line up hole or pin on the flywheel, don't remember exactly. It's more likely that the timing is off. When pistons are at 50% the pin should lock. Then..... address the cams.

 

Yes there is an alignment hole in the flywheel and a dowel in the crank. In theory you line things up when you install the flywheel. In my case (and I just finished tearing the flywheel out to solve this) the flywheel was installed by previous owner 180 deg out. The dowel in the crank made a very nice dent and witness mark in the flywheel, 180 deg out from the machined hole intended for the dowel. WHY??? The things people do... So now I rest easy knowing the solve is to reinstall the flywheel correctly, put gearbox back back on, re-install subframe and exhaust, re- assemble engine, and then I will be able to time the engine correctly because I will be able to lock the pistons in their proper orientation relative to the cams when I install the timing chain. All do-able, but MAN it's a lot of additional work to get it right. I've learned a lot and the car is for my wife, so its worth it.

 

Oh man.. having pulled the engine for a rebuild. I realize that to work on tranny, pull the engine. I think the hardest for me was separating the CV axle on the left side. I had to cut the boot, which was a good choice to replace while there. No matter how I turned it or what I pried it with, there was no budging it, out of the C clip grasp. Even out of the car it was challenging.

 

What a lazy technician It amazes me that someone would go out of their way to install a part wrong... To install a part that clearly has been designed to NOT go on wrong, and to install it wrong. I'm glad you figured it out. I'm sure you're really glad you didn't have to pay a mechanic to figure it out.