Hello I am new on this forum , so forgive me if i tread on any toes or say  something that has already been flogged  to death.
I am hoping that somebody there will tell me about cam timing.
I replaced the chains and tensioners on my xk8, referring  to sn article  in JWM. unfortunately  at some stage the  crankshaft moved so when i did my idiots check turning by hand to check timing without risking expensive noises, it was obvious that i had made an error. all the article say i to lline up the flats on the camshafts having set the crank at  tdc. It doesnt mention which piston should be  tdc or if it means crank in line with  base of the v.   I used lef bank no 1as this allow  the engine to turn without pistons and valves coming together, but it doesnt  seem quite right..  can somebody enlighten me? I am having a problem  finding the crank mark onthe  torque converter without knowing what i am looking for
regards 

Hi Roy
Thanks for your reply If i tell you i suffer frpm Parkinsons as well you will probably call me a colloquiall rd for the lower anatomy. That is for others to decide, but I  like o maintain my own toys, and have a lifetimes collection of tools and equipment. I  did my homework, but available information  is  scarce. I had the list of special tools but was not inclined to spend 300  pounds on stuff i do not need.two short lengths of inch square bar on the milling machine for ten minutes became cam   locking bars An aluminium pin tweked on tgher lathe became the crank locking pin and an old bmc mini clutch puller sorted  the harmonic balancer/pulley. I did not fit the crank lock before undoing the  pulley bolt because i thought that the risk to the torqu converter was high as the science being applied at the other end included a 4 foot long persuader. The crank must have turned at some stage, and when i  turned the  engine by hand after replaceing the chains i could feel that the pistons and valves  were coming together. I  could not spot the timing mark on the tc because i was looking for a larger square hole rather thaN a round one.If the article i was using as reference info has only said Set the crank to tdc no1 piston left  bank it would have been simple but this is the only position which gives sensible valve operation..The engine  runs,but misses and pops and  bangs, but  experience tellsme  i am jumping to conclusions. I've checked the timing and round hole lines up. I will let you know how I get on. Regards

There's a fabulous step by step guide on the XKEC website by a chap called DaveR , well worth a look but you would have to be a member to read it ,
Try www.xkec.co.uk ,

Hope this helps ,

Nikasil Nik