Timing belt off by half a tooth

[Cletonius]

Just did the timing belt and as the title says, it's off the mark on the cam side by about half a tooth. I'm guessing that it's not a big deal but I figured I'd ask just to be safe.

So what says the internet?

[Brandon12V]

stock camshaft? you'll be fine.

[Cletonius]

I think so but I have no way of knowing. I'll be adjusting valves in the next week or so though so I can check then.

[TimR]

Could be good/bad/ advanced?? retarded??? How did this happen, figured out the cause?? i could use some advance here in CO. with the altitude.

[Cletonius]

Which way is which? God, I hope I'm not retarded.

[PNWDan]

Just did the timing belt and as the title says, it's off the mark on the cam side by about half a tooth. I'm guessing that it's not a big deal but I figured I'd ask just to be safe.

So what says the internet?

You should have the marks on the crank lined up with the v in the block(not the dampener to the cover) and have your timing mark on the cam lined up to the head then pull the belt tight on the passenger side before putting it on. It should all line up perfect but could take a bit to get on. hand crank the crank 2 full revolutions slow(to feel for binding) and it should line up again. If it doesnt then your off. You really cant really be off half a tooth. Its either on the mark or not.

[Cletonius]

You should have the marks on the crank lined up with the v in the block(not the dampener to the cover) and have your timing mark on the cam lined up to the head then pull the belt tight on the passenger side before putting it on. It should all line up perfect but could take a bit to get on. hand crank the crank 2 full revolutions slow(to feel for binding) and it should line up again. If it doesnt then your off. You really cant really be off half a tooth. Its either on the mark or not.

I lined it all up that way before I took the belt off. I replaced the intermediate seal (didn't have the torx socket for the cam gear, but the seal isn't leaking...) and put everything back together. The marks were lined up on the money when I put the belt on, and pulled all the slack on the passenger side with the tensioner. After turning it twice the mark on the head is off a smidge. I took it all apart and did it again and got the same thing. Figuring that the third try would be the one I did it again and still got the same result. I'm using a continental belt kit I got from Blunt, and I double checked all the parts before I put everything together. The old belt was bigger than the new one for sure, it was all cracked and nasty so I'm guessing where it's at now is right in the middle to account for stretch?

[10/10ths]

Josh, just so happens I am in an identical situation right now, it appears to be off by half a tooth or less at the cam gear. If you get your car running before I do please post here how it runs, I am thinking of just going with it and putting everthing back together as is.

[Cletonius]

Called my ase master tech uncle, he came by and checked everything out, then told me it was fine. I did a bunch of other work too and the car runs like a raped ape now. Easily chirped 4th where I could barely chirp 3rd before.

[10/10ths]

cool, I didn't get my car running yet but it was less than half a tooth off when I put it all back on. In the morning I need to do all the cooling stuff and then I'll have it running again. Thanks for the reply.

[Brandon12V]

lol I told ya man. btw <<<retarded advanced>>>

[rodpaine]

Josh, just so happens I am in an identical situation right now, it appears to be off by half a tooth or less at the cam gear. If you get your car running before I do please post here how it runs, I am thinking of just going with it and putting everthing back together as is.

You have to make sure you are looking at the timing marks dead on and not at a slight angle, as the alignment will appear to be slightly off. I've seen this on many 528e belts, where the owner looked at it from slightly above, resulting in the belt being retarded one tooth. I show an example of an alignment error here.
FWIW,
-Rod

[10/10ths]

we put the belt on three times and each time we did the two rotations we would end up half a tooth advanced from where we were. we studied it pretty closely. turned out great though, runs fantastic.