UPDATE: It really bugged me that I didn't use the flywheel locking pin and I wasn't sure if my timing was correct, so from underneath the car I did get the locking pin in place and rechecked timing. Timing was good enough the cam locking tool dropped right into place. When the flywheel locking tool is in place, the from mark lines up EXACTLY. I'm working on a couple videos and will get that up when i have time.


This is an M52B28 motor, 1997 BMW 328i (E36)
When putting back together it should look something like this. I recorded the video while staring at it perplexed. I have written below what I've concluded a year after making this video.

Exhaust sprocket should be positioned with the bolt hole bias to the left of slots, and when rotating the secondary chain, the slot will pivot end to end of the bolt hole.

The slack in the Primary chain will be removed when the dummy tensioner is installed.

I purchased the cam locking tool, dummy tensioner, and crank locking pin on eBay.

I did not actually use the crank locking pin because it was hard to reach:
I set the crank back a couple degrees,
hand tighten the dummy tensioner (when you put rotation pressure on crank the tensioner will tighten more),
then advanced the crank to align by the front marks,
then tightened the cam bolts.

I followed the Bently manual instructions (except the locking pin)

Have camshaft locking tool inplace with cams at TDC (with front lobes at 45degree angles towards each other o/ \o ) and crankshaft at TDC (use flywheel locking tool).


To install VANOS, spin secondary chain/sprockets ALL THE WAY clockwise (work-view).
Then lightly push VANOS towards block as you rotate secondary chain counterclockwise, and the exhaust sprocket bolt holes should be about in the middle of the slot.

Remember to change out -special tool- ,primary tensioner, for spring loaded

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