Another Timing Belt 1/2 Tooth off, wont line up

[Pyrice4]

Ive read every post that has to do with timing belts being 1/2 a tooth off and did not get an answer. Ive reset the timing several times and still get the same result, the timing is 1/2 a tooth off. Im waiting to get it right before pulling the pin on the tensioner. Ok, #1 cylinder is at TDC, Cam gear lines line up with dowels up, Tensioner pulley has been turned clockwise untill the 2 dots are above and slightly to the right of the bolt then torqued the bolt down. Cranked the engine 6 times. Now everything lines up except the crank, its about 1/2 tooth off. If i line up the crank, then the cam gears go about 1/2 tooth off. Now can I just leave it like this or am I going to get some poor performance/damage??

 

[Daaan]

EXACT same thing happend to my 1g NT. it was 1/2 tooth off... and nobody had an answer for this besides "You have it a tooth off". I spent days trying defferent methods but nothing worked. so i spun the crank by hand (softly) 6 revolutions to make sure no valves would hit cyls. and gave it a shot. car works perfect and the cams are set off half tooth still.

Take out the S-Plugs so theres no compression. Then by hand spin the crank by hand very slowly and carefully and try to feel if the valves will hit. DO NOT GIVE FORCE

I had new TB, tensioner, waterpump etc..
this is what happened by my experience. if your unsure take it to a mechanic.

 

[1992awdlaser]

I had to purposely set my exhaust cam off slightly when installing the timing belt. When I would hold the cam gears so they line up the exhaust cam would move when I let go. So I held it slightly more clockwise. Then after I installed the belt and let go they lined right up.

 

[Pyrice4]

Ok, thanks guys. If its only 1/2 a tooth off and it for sure not going to hit a valve then I guess it will be ok to put in. Ill update you so we can finally get a conclusion on this topic.

 

[luv2rallye]

The ANSWER has ALWAYS been in the NOTE of step 22 of the vfaq timing belt install instructions: http://www.vfaq.com/mods/timingbelt-1G.html