Running without Crank Bolt - M20

[kid325e]

Just going over some things in my head.

When I started getting my engine wired up, I went and tried to start it after I got the starter wired up. I cranked it over a few times, and everything sounded ok.

Fast forward to my issues now where the car is misfiring and sounding like it's on one cylinder (cylinder 2).

I realize now that I may have turned the engine over a few times WITHOUT the crank bolt in; the six bolts that hold the toothed wheel onto the crank were in place and everything seemed to be turning like it should. My concern is, could turning the engine over a few times without the crank bolt in mess with my timing? or cause worse damage?

Feeling really stupid right now. Hoping I didn't screw anything up!

[jlevie]

I don't think you could throw off the timing by turning over the engine sans crank bolt. The timing belt sprocket and harmonic balancer are keyed to the crank.

[kid325e]

K, that's what I figured. Thanks for the quick reply J!

[TurboJake]

What jlevie said.

And, if you had altered the timing from turning it over, it would be across all cylinders, not just one.

[kid325e]

Thanks for the reassurance, gents. I really appreciate it.