eddyspaghetti said:

my cams timing is correct

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Since you are using a cam gear lock tool, the cams are in its phase but the timing is still off, which means you set the cam timing at a wrong crank position.

eddyspaghetti said:

what should I do next if its off?

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Should do it again by taking your time. You will eventually be used to after a couple of trial and errors.

O

DSMPT said:

Since you are using a cam gear lock tool, the cams are in its phase but the timing is still off, which means you set the cam timing at a wrong crank position.


Should do it again by taking your time. You will eventually be used to after a couple of trial and errors.

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Ok, is there a reference photo you might have of where the crank should be?
Am I ok to take off the came gear lock and continue cranking without the valves bending?

I uploaded a photo from Google, is this correct?

No need to crank with the wrong timing. What you need to do is remove the belt and move the crank counterclockwise by a tooth to make it like those pics and put back the belt. If you still have the balance shafts, don't forget to set them in time too. Usually one or two teeth off don't bent valves by hand cranking.

The point is when putting the tension on the belt, the crank position would be pulled clockwise by the same amount of the slack you have. So especially if you use a cam gear lock tool, when you put back the timing belt and set the crank timing marks, try to set the crank plate notch position at one tooth left side (counterclockwise) from where you think, even it's a bit tight to put the belt. Just redo until you get the right timing, I am sure you would get what I am talking about.

In all honesty, that method might be a little too advanced for the level I'm at right now. Is there possibly another way to go about this? I'll gladly take a longer way just until I feel more confident.

I'll re-read you're reply, maybe it'll make more sense

Hello, I drive a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 7 bolt engine, my cams timing is correct but I wanted to know if my crank time mark is off? I manually cranked the engine 6 times before I took the timing belt off and this is where I ended up. what should I do next if its off? The timing belt is off right now, and since this is my first time doing this job, I'm not sure how to go about this. I'm terrified of bending the valves.

Am I ok to taking off the cam lock and cranking the engine again with the timing belt off? ? Or do I need to install and tighten the timing belt THEN manually crank the engine?
If so how many more times? Any help would be much appreciated thank you


I could really use the help fellas, I'm really stressed here...

Its hard to look at it that way. My suggestion is as follows. Crank is the important part. Everything is always relative to the crank. Take the tool out, rotate until the crank mark lines up, THEN look at cams. To answer yiur question, yes your timing is off

pauleyman said:

Its hard to look at it that way. My suggestion is as follows. Crank is the important part. Everything is always relative to the crank. Take the tool out, rotate until the crank mark lines up, THEN look at cams. To answer yiur question, yes your timing is off

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But wouldn't that bend my valves? My timing belt is not on

I didnt notice at the crank. Rotate the crank back a little until its on the mark. Install the belt. Did you rotate the motor 6 times with the belt off?

He just told you the easiest way. you set the tooth one click off so when you tighten the belt it rolls into position. trial and error. note how far the crank sprocket moves when you apply tension to it.
You can do it! you done it once, it wasnt perfect. you live and learn. Keep at it

pauleyman said:

I didnt notice at the crank. Rotate the crank back a little until its on the mark. Install the belt. Did you rotate the motor 6 times with the belt off?

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Hey there, yes I rotated the crank 6 times, the cams lined up, but the crank didn't, that's why I assumed the Crank was lined up as well

ItsTwan309 said:

He just told you the easiest way. you set the tooth one click off so when you tighten the belt it rolls into position. trial and error. note how far the crank sprocket moves when you apply tension to it.
You can do it! you done it once, it wasnt perfect. you live and learn. Keep at it

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Thank you so much man I really appreciate yall

pauleyman said:

I didnt notice at the crank. Rotate the crank back a little until its on the mark. Install the belt. Did you rotate the motor 6 times with the belt off?

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Just another question before I start on the car again:

1. Rotate the crank a little counter clock wise, WITH the cams locked until it's on its mark?

2. My valves won't bend If I do this?

I don’t remember the direction, I just know it has to start as being “off” and will rotate into the correct position.
Release the tension and watch which way the crank rolls and you will know

pauleyman said:

I didnt notice at the crank. Rotate the crank back a little until its on the mark. Install the belt. Did you rotate the motor 6 times with the belt off?

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So because my cams are locked in correct order, I can manually turn the crank to its mark and not risk damaging the valves? Please help

So I just moved the crank counter clockwise just a bit, the engine didn't fight me, I was able to move it pretty freelyhere are photos, is it no in the correct position? It's a 7 bolt 4g63t motor

The exhaust cam tends to rotate counterclockwise when tension is applied to the belt. You can advance it one tooth clockwise before applying tension and it should line up. Try setting the crank mark and then the cams instead of locking the cams and trying to get the crank mark lined up.

Another picture

eddyspaghetti said:

1. Rotate the crank a little counter clock wise, WITH the cams locked until it's on its mark?

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Yes, just move by a tooth counterclockwise but "without the belt".

eddyspaghetti said:

2. My valves won't bend If I do this?

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No, they won't.

RamenPride said:

The exhaust cam tends to rotate counterclockwise when tension is applied to the belt. You can advance it one tooth clockwise before applying tension and it should line up. Try setting the crank mark and then the cams instead of locking the cams and trying to get the crank mark lined up.

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Right. But he is using a cam gear lock tool.

eddyspaghetti said:

So I just moved the crank counter clockwise just a bit, the engine didn't fight me, I was able to move it pretty freelyhere are photos, is it no in the correct position? It's a 7 bolt 4g63t motor

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Is this after putting the tensione?

BTW, I found the balance shafts belt tensioner pulley is installed backwards. You must fix it.

DSMPT said:

Yes, just move by a tooth counterclockwise but "without the belt".

No, they won't.

Right. But he is using a cam gear lock tool.


Is this after putting the tensione?

BTW, I found the balance shafts belt tensioner pulley is installed backwards. You must fix it.

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So this is where the marks ended up after tightening , I think they're in the correct place?

Also, when you say backwards, do you mean upside-down or do you mean the outside has to be facing the inside?

The photos I've seen seem to have it the exact same way

Here are some more

eddyspaghetti said:

So this is where the marks ended up after tightening , I think they're in the correct place?

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Set the tension properly and remove the cam gear lock tool and rotate the crank 6 times, and set the crank timing marks (not the cam gear timing marks, no need to make them exactly lined up for now). And take a pic of cam gears timing marks from center/straight and upload it, and then we will see. And also make sure the balance shaft timing marks are set (both oil pump sprocket and balance shaft sprocket).

eddyspaghetti said:

Also, when you say backwards, do you mean upside-down or do you mean the outside has to be facing the inside?

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You must flip it to make it as the higher edge side (the guide side) facing the outside (your side).

eddyspaghetti said:

The photos I've seen seem to have it the exact same way

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Those pics are wrong.

DSMPT said:

Set the tension properly and remove the cam gear lock tool and rotate the crank 6 times, and set the crank timing marks (not the cam gear timing marks, no need to make them exactly lined up for now). And take a pic of cam gears timing marks from center/straight and upload it, and then we will see. And also make sure the balance shaft timing marks are set (both oil pump sprocket and balance shaft sprocket).


You must flip it to make it as the higher edge side (the guide side) facing the outside (your side).


Those pics are wrong.

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Ok, so it has to be like in the photo I just posted with the red arrows?

DSMPT said:

Set the tension properly and remove the cam gear lock tool and rotate the crank 6 times, and set the crank timing marks (not the cam gear timing marks, no need to make them exactly lined up for now). And take a pic of cam gears timing marks from center/straight and upload it, and then we will see. And also make sure the balance shaft timing marks are set (both oil pump sprocket and balance shaft sprocket).


You must flip it to make it as the higher edge side (the guide side) facing the outside (your side).


Those pics are wrong.

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I also had to pack it in for the night, I'm going to continue tomorrow, I'll send you the pictures tomorrow thank you for the help, I really really appreciate it

eddyspaghetti said:

Ok, so it has to be like in the photo I just posted with the red arrows?

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Yes those are correct. If you didnt notice the new pictures you posted also showed it both ways. Look closely at your posts. Lip out is correct.

pauleyman said:

Yes those are correct. If you didnt notice the new pictures you posted also showed it both ways. Look closely at your posts. Lip out is correct.

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I'm not exactly sure what you mean, is it possible for you to show me a photo of what exactly you mean? i have a brand new one, I might as well install the new one.
I've never installed one, is it pretty simple? Remove the bolt, take out balance shaft tensioner and install the new one? Thank you in advance

DSMPT said:

Set the tension properly and remove the cam gear lock tool and rotate the crank 6 times, and set the crank timing marks (not the cam gear timing marks, no need to make them exactly lined up for now). And take a pic of cam gears timing marks from center/straight and upload it, and then we will see. And also make sure the balance shaft timing marks are set (both oil pump sprocket and balance shaft sprocket).


You must flip it to make it as the higher edge side (the guide side) facing the outside (your side).


Those pics are wrong.

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I think I see what you mean, so the side with the rised lip has to be facing the outside of the engine, like in this photo. If my palm is the engine

eddyspaghetti said:

Ok, so it has to be like in the photo I just posted with the red arrows?

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eddyspaghetti said:

I think I see what you mean, so the side with the rised lip has to be facing the outside of the engine, like in this photo. If my palm is the engine

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Yes, correct. Protrusion side should be facing outside (your side).

eddyspaghetti said:

I also had to pack it in for the night, I'm going to continue tomorrow, I'll send you the pictures tomorrow thank you for the help, I really really appreciate it

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Yeah, just as mentioned earlier that take your time, no rush. This part is important and one mistake may terribly damage the engine.
But it will make sense to you later all what we told you above with trial and errors.

P.S. If you don't have the factory service manual yet, you must have and read it. It shows how to do properly.

DSMPT said:

Yes, correct. Protrusion side should be facing outside (your side).


Yeah, just as mentioned earlier that take your time, no rush. This part is important and one mistake may terribly damage the engine.
But it will make sense to you later all what we told you above with trial and errors.

P.S. If you don't have the factory service manual yet, you must have and read it. It shows how to do properly.

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Thank you so much, and I will absolutely take my time.
Would this service manual work? Or do you know if a better service manual you can recommend?