Resolved 2G How do you align the crank pulley for timing belt?

[tkhaab_94]

I'm doing a timing job and how do I align the crank pulley? I don't see a mark on it. Or do I just align the balance shaft and the crank pulley will be aligned already? What do I do?

 

[95dsmgsx95]

the way i do it is i put the timing belt cover on and the balancer with out the bolts and line up the marks then take it back off with out moving it then the crank will be at tdc

 

[tkhaab_94]

Which mark do I align it to?

 

[Calan]

the way i do it is i put the timing belt cover on and the balancer with out the bolts and line up the marks then take it back off with out moving it then the crank will be at tdc

This is a lot of extra work, and can lead to inaccurate results. You should never trust the molded marks on a plastic cover, much less one that warps and twists like the OEM ones do.

******

You need to put the engine at TDC; you can insert a screwdriver or something similar gently into the #1 plug hole, and rest it on the top of the piston to see when the piston is at the top of it's stroke. Since the crank sprocket is keyed, it will be in the right place. Then line up the cam gears and other timing marks as explained in the VFAQ and several other threads.

If you want something simpler, the thrust plate behind the sprocket has a notch in it that lines up with a marker that is cast into the front cover. I still check for TDC though, just as a double check.

 

[doubleclutch99]

You should at least have a haynes manual for your car. is this a 4g63 or a 420a? that will help alot

 

[tkhaab_94]

4g63 and I do have a repair manual. It shows me the marks. I don't see marks on the crank. Let me upload a picture.

My balance shaft is aligned right?

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

and how do I align this?? This is what I'm talking about.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Calan]

Here:

Timing Belt VFAQ

 

[doubleclutch99]

This appears to be a 7 bolt. correct? if it is then you won't have a mark on the crank . you will have a v-notch on the tin behind the crank gear and you'll line it up with the pointer on the oil pump housing. if you have an extra hand pull the spark plug closest to the driver side , and i use a long screwdriver for this part. run the screwdriver strait down in the cylinder and then have a friend turn the crank slowly by hand with a rachet until you feel the piston come to the top of the stroke. that should put you in the neighborhood then look at your timing marks and they should be lined up if they're not then turn it the little bit you need to line them up . this will be top dead center. then check the rest of your timing components

 

[Calan]

Or this...

You need to put the engine at TDC; you can insert a screwdriver or something similar gently into the #1 plug hole, and rest it on the top of the piston to see when the piston is at the top of it's stroke. Since the crank sprocket is keyed, it will be in the right place. Then line up the cam gears and other timing marks as explained in the VFAQ and several other threads.

If you want something simpler, the thrust plate behind the sprocket has a notch in it that lines up with a marker that is cast into the front cover. I still check for TDC though, just as a double check.

 

[tkhaab_94]

Yes it is a 7 bolt. If I align the Notch to the oil pump then the balnce shaft won't be aligned.

Oh ok I get it now.

Is this a good enough alignment? It is the closest I can get it to. All my other marks are good. Just my oil pump that is a little off.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[snakeyes711]

If you look on the crank shaft pulley, there is a notch, like someone cut a small V into it. Then look around there should be another point for it to align to. You must align all the timing marks before installing the belts. Line up the crank, and the front shaft and put its belt on first I'd say.

If you take a look in the pic you posted you can see the notch on the upper left, right beside that bolt. There should be a pointer for it to line up to behind where the belt is sitting, its blocking it.

 

[tkhaab_94]

Yes, I know I got everything aligned but my oil pump bothers me. Is it aligned good enough? I also posted a pic of it.

 

[snakeyes711]

I really can't tell, in that pic. Isn't there a small arrow stamped on it?

 

[Colt4G63 also]

Here's your photo of the crank sprocket zoomed in with the notches highlighted. As for the oil pump, you know there's a balance shaft attached to that to right? You need to stick a 1/4" extension in the hole in the back of the block to make sure it isn't out of phase. With the notch lined up, there's only a one in three chance that the balance shaft is properly aligned.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[tkhaab_94]

I said that I got everything aligned already, but is the oil pump good enough? Are you sure there is a balance shaft connected to the oil pump too?

 

[Colt4G63 also]

According to the picture you provided, the crank is off a quarter tooth or so, but I can't see the marks in your oil pump pulley, and I can't tell if you have a 1/4" extension in the feeler hole. If the rear balance shaft was never removed, then yes, I'm sure.

 

[C3L1CA]

There is a balance shaft on the oil pump and you need to make sure you have it in the correct position. To me, it looks like the oil pump is off a tooth.

I'd personally re-do the timing belt and make sure you have the other balance shaft rotated right and try and get the oil pump aligned better.

 

[tkhaab_94]

Thats the best I can align it. If I align the oil pump in the center of the markings, then the belt will not go on the oil pump pulley. Can some one show me a picture of the rear balance shaft?

 

[Clutch GSX]

Sorry to hijack but I just want to clarify, if you have BS removed, you dont need to time the oil pump right? Is it true that as long as the crank and cams are timed correctly the pump can be in any position?

OP: the rear balance shaft is behind that flat washer looking thing that looks like a star (aka star plug)

 

[tkhaab_94]

I can't get the oil pump to align right everything else is good. If I put the mark on the oil pump to the correct position the belt will not slip over oil pump. I have to move it a little in order to put on the belt, making the oil pump in the position it is in the above picture.

Here is a better picture of the alignment on the oil pump.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

There's a bunch of gouges in your pulley! It's no wonder you can't tell if it's set. besides, the pulley turns three revolutions for each rotation of the rear balance shaft, so you need to be sure you check that too.