timing belt...

[SLEEPERracer]

does it matter which way you rotate the crank when you setting TDC? i was gonna rotate as if i were going to tight a bolt righty tighty....

[yozsi]

doesnt matter, just dont run the pistons into the valves. and when setting the tension go in the direction where the slack in the belt will be at the tensioner.

[SLEEPERracer]

doesnt matter, just dont run the pistons into the valves. and when setting the tension go in the direction where the slack in the belt will be at the tensioner.

how would i know if i do or not?

[SLEEPERracer]

either way i rotate it it becomes harder. i dont wanna force it.

[PeaveyBassist]

Take the spark plugs out. Youre probably close to the compression stroke. Either that... OR you have the parking brake on and the car is in gear ;) Ask me how I know lol

Will

[SLEEPERracer]

Take the spark plugs out. Youre probably close to the compression stroke. Either that... OR you have the parking brake on and the car is in gear ;) Ask me how I know lol

Will

alright after i rotate it and line it up...when i put in the new timing belt how i check it and know its correct?

also how could i avoid running the pistions into the valves?

thanks!

[PeaveyBassist]

When you take the belt off, dont rotate the cam or the crank at ALL. Not even a little bit. Put the new belt on with the new tensioner. SLOWLY rotate the crank and check how it lines up at the bottom and top. When I did, I rotated the crank from the bottom and checked the line on the toothed wheel while my dad was above the car and checked the cam line and then we switched. I rotated the engine two rotations by hand real slow checking the timing every time the marks came around. Then the only thing you can do is go drive it. I drove and kept it under 3k rpm for a while. Then after it was warmed up and what not, took it to 6k rpm just to make sure :D lol

Will

[SLEEPERracer]

When you take the belt off, dont rotate the cam or the crank at ALL. Not even a little bit. Put the new belt on with the new tensioner. SLOWLY rotate the crank and check how it lines up at the bottom and top. When I did, I rotated the crank from the bottom and checked the line on the toothed wheel while my dad was above the car and checked the cam line and then we switched. I rotated the engine two rotations by hand real slow checking the timing every time the marks came around. Then the only thing you can do is go drive it. I drove and kept it under 3k rpm for a while. Then after it was warmed up and what not, took it to 6k rpm just to make sure :D lol

Will

i see a line on where the head is, where the cam gear is, near the valve cover but i dont see any line on the toothed wheel your talking about? is the toothed wheel your talking about the cam gear?

so when you rotate the crank as it rotates, at the same time, the O|T mark on the dampner and the line on the lower timing belt cover should line up as the line on the gear and line on the head (near the valve cover) should line up? all at the same time. do i leave it at this position all lined up when finished?

[PeaveyBassist]

You got it right. The toothed gear I was talking about was the dampner on the front of the crank. When you get it done you can put it wherever you want. Just leave it wherever. It doesnt matter. Just get it all back together and try to start it.

Will

[PeaveyBassist]

And yea, both marks top and bottom will line up with the gear next to it at the same time.

Will

[SLEEPERracer]

ok i get how to check the timing...

is the line on the cam gear an arrow on the inner side of the cam gear thats lines up with the line on the head? is this the top marks?

i know that the O|T lines up with the line on the lower timing belt cover. thats the bottom marks.

[PeaveyBassist]

I believe so yes. I'm about 95% sure of that. It should be pretty much the only mark on the cam gear.

Will

[SLEEPERracer]

I believe so yes. I'm about 95% sure of that. It should be pretty much the only mark on the cam gear.

Will

well i just tried it...i didnt even go one revolution because the O|T marks were pretty close to the line on the lower timing belt cover. remember that the old timing belt is still on. the cam gear mark (arrow) and the line on the head isnt lined up yet and is way off. should i keep rotating it until it is lined up?

do i just need to get the O|T marks lined up then i can put the new timing belt and tensioner? or do i have to get the both the top and bottom lined up before i remove the old belt and tensioner?

[PeaveyBassist]

rotate it one more time. Remember the cam rotates twice for every one revolution of the crank. Keep rotating it until they line up or close to it, then switch belts. When I was doing it, I couldnt keep the marks lined up to take the belt off because it took pressure to keep it there. I let the engine sit where ever it wanted, took the belt off and made sure the pulleys didnt move, then put the new belt and stuff on. Then checked timing a couple times. Really, take the belt off wherever it is. Timing should be good since it came off the engine that ran well. Then just dont let the pulleys move and slide the new belt on. Rotate the engine and check the marks. They should line up. Mine were dead on.

Will

[SLEEPERracer]

after lining up the marks should i take out the water pump before i remove the timing belt? i have a new one.