Hello all. Almost finished with a rebuild thanks to all the great info here. My question is, how hard should it be to rotate the cams once they are installed? All pistons are in the middle but yet it still takes quite a bit of force for me to rotate the cams for timing. Everything is stock and had a valve job done on the head. Appreciate your time.

that depends on how you are rotating them.

1. if you're rotating them together because the t-belt is on them and you're rotating them from the crank pulley, then it's harder
2. if you're rotating them individually, say from the cam gear 18mm bolt, then it's easier.

In short, you'll be fine. you wont break anything. rotate em.

Thanks a ton.

Remember, you're pushing against the valve springs that are intentionally VERY stiff to prevent valve float.

try doing it w/ crane or crower springs. twice as stiff.

If the spark plugs are installed, take them out.