How to set Cam shaft timing on Hyundai Excel 1995 (single OHC engine)

you make answering very difficult because you do not give specific information
the excel comes in ser X1 (1985-1989), X2(1990-1995), X3(1994-2000) depending on the year
the engine capacity is missing so 1.3 LT engines are single over head cam and 1.6LT engines are double head cam
to make matters worse
the 1.3LT ( engine family G4EH) is single over head cam
the 1.5 Lt ( G4EK is a SOHC
the 1.5LT ( G4FK) is a DOHC
and the 1.6LT( G4ED) is a DOHC
Now you can see the difficulty in giving you a definitive answer
Why don't you simply ring the shop and ask them to check for you

Timing the Cam to the Crank

There are several ways to time the cam to the crank. Be sure to check the manual before you install the timing chain or belt.

• Some timing sprockets are properly timed when the marks face each other.
• On others, there must be a certain number of chain links between the marks.
• Sometimes chains have colored links that must be aligned with the marks on the sprockets.
• Some overhead cams have a mark on the cam gear that lines up with a mark on the cylinder head when the timing mark on the damper is at the TDC mark.

Align the timing marks for the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets before removing the timing belt or chain.

If the old parts are available, carefully compare the new gears or sprockets with the old ones. Check the keyway and timing marks just in case there might have been an error made in manufacturing. Sprockets are sometimes stamped backward. Its much better to find the problem during assembly, rather than waiting until problems show up after reassembly and reinstallation.

Maintaining Valve Timing

During a valve job, it is essential to keep the timing chain or belt in place to maintain correct valve timing. Position the number one cylinder at TDC. Some overhead cam engines use a single long chain for a cam drive. The chain can be wedged against its guides with a tapered block of wood.
the chain tensioner on some ohc engines must be wedged to keep the chain in position during cylinder head removal. courtesy of nissan motors.

Some engines have a lower and upper chain. These engines do not require special attention to wedging the chain. Be sure to look for hidden head bolts and check the repair manual before removing the OHC head.

Is this the diagram of this engine or do you have the single ohc?
Single OHC engine

Hi Robert, It would help to know what engine is in your vehicle? A rule of thumb way to set up the valve timing is as follows. Rotate the crank shaft until the crank shaft mark is about 90 degrees from TDC. This will protect the valves from damage when rotating the cams to align them. With the tappet cover removed rotate the cam shaft or shafts so that the number one cylinder is on compression (both inlet and exhaust valves fully closed) and the last cylinder in line on overlap, Look for adjacent timing marks on the cam gears and somewhere close to those look for the alignment marks (maybe notch marks, holes or indented match marks). (Some manufactures use the machined gasket surface where the tappet cover closes onto the cylinder head). Look closely for the static mark on the cylinder head and align the cam(s) to it or them. Once completed, set the crank at Top Dead Center and look carefully for a timing mark which aligns with the gear and set them. Fit the belt so the marks align when the tensioner bearing is released and presses the belt under load. (follow the manufactures recommended tightening instructions.) . (Remember never to crimp a timing belt, if it has been, throw it away and get another, even if it is new!) If the belt snapped and that is the reason for replacement, internal damage may have resulted inside the engine. A snapped belt may cause damage to the valves, the camshafts, the cam shaft caps and to the pistons. If the engine turns much faster than expected and sounds as if there is no compression, you have problems! (Those I've just mentioned. I hope not for your sake. best of luck Regards John

You would have to change engine, OHC-over head cam is the cam sets on top of the cylinder head, OHV-over head valve the cam sets in the center of the engine using pushrods to open/close the valves.

I would definitely recommend not to start the engine if you have the least suspicion that your valve cam is not turning in accordance with the crank shaft. You might as well get a valve hitting the piston and then...GAME OVER.

Most japan made cars, including GEO, ( in other areas of the world called suzuki vitara) you must have noticed a plastic cover on the crank shaft. There should be some marks on it. You must twist your shaft to fit that marks, ( usually the longest one or the zero marked) and bring your valve shaft at the marks mentioned at the sides of you cam gears ( the ones that get motion by the timing belt). Most manufactures have arrows indicating the exhaust side of the engine.
Now if yours is the one with OHC, ( single overhead cam) the gear should be marked to point right up.

I can tell you more if I know the type of your engine...

Hi, An engine that has fuel and spark, no serious vacuum leaks and cranks normally should start. The problem is compression If it is an overhead cam engine with a rubber timing belt, a broken timing belt would be the most likely cause especially if the engine has a lot of miles on it. Most OEMs recommend replacing the OHC timing belt every 60,000 miles for preventative maintenance, but many belts are never changed. Eventually they break, and when they do the engine stops dead in its tracks. And in engines that lack sufficient valve-to-piston clearance as many import engines and some domestic engines do, it also causes extensive damage (bent valves and valvetrain components & sometimes cracked pistons). Overhead cams can also bind and break if the head warps due to severe overheating, or the cam bearings are starved for lubrication. A cam seizure may occur during a subzero cold start if the oil in the crankcase is too thick and is slow to reach the cam (a good reason for using 5W-20 or 5W-30 for winter driving). High rpm cam failure can occur if the oil level is low or the oil is long overdue for a change. With high mileage pushrod engines, the timing chain may have broken or slipped. Either type of problem can be diagnosed by doing a compression check and/or removing a valve cover and watching for valve movement when the engine is cranked. A blown head gasket may prevent an engine from starting if the engine is a four cylinder with two dead cylinders. But most six or eight cylinder engines will sputter to life and run roughly even with a blown gasket. The gasket can, however, allow coolant to leak into the cylinder and hydrolock the engine.
Take care

During most engine rebuilds, a completely new timing assembly should be installed. If wear exists on any component, replacement of the entire assembly is necessary. Wear in the chain, gears, or sprockets means a timing lag, which results in poor engine performance.
The timing chain or belt is generally installed with the gears in their correct positions. Before installing a new chain, soak it in oil.
OHC (Overhead Cam) Engines
Some OHC engines use a chain drive; others use a belt drive. Removing the cover on some OHC engines that have timing chains is more difficult, because the cover often fits between the oil pan and the cylinder head. There are special procedures for replacing cam timing components in these engines.
Before a chain repair job, perform a leakage test on non-freewheeling engines to check for bent valves, so that an accurate repair estimate can be made.
OHV (Overhead Valve) Pushrod Engines
On many OHV pushrod engines, the crankshaft sprocket is installed on the crankshaft nose and the crankshaft is rotated to position piston #1 at TDC. At this point, a mark stamped onto the crankshaft sprocket is pointing directly upward (toward the camshaft).
The camshaft sprocket is then temporarily bolted to the cam and used to rotate the cam until a mark stamped on the cam sprocket is pointing directly downward (toward the crankshaft). The sprocket is then removed from the cam (without allowing the cam to rotate).
The timing chain is looped over the cam gear, the mark on the cam gear is positioned directly downward, and the chain is looped around the crankshaft sprocket. When the cam sprocket is attached to the cam, the timing marks on the crank and cam sprockets should be pointing toward one another. NOTE THIS IS FOR 2WD 4.0

Timing mark on cam is 20 past [as a clock face]
Pin mark on cam lines up with head casting mark
Crank mark 5 past,line up pin marks

dear friend:here follows the settings in need:
cylinder head-30-35 nm + 30-35 + 65deg + 65deg.
mains-30nm +65deg
big ends- 1 - 26nm 2 - 52NM
fly-wheel -130nm
cam-sprocket - 100-120
crank-pulley - 170-180
cam caps -15nm