Can I cut my timing belt?

[thricestrat]

95 talon tsi

Hey guys so after working on restoring my car for 6 monthes finally turned it over ran a compression test and the numbers are terrible 130, 135, 110, 120
my question is im pulling the head today and the last 4g63 (6 bolt) I rebuilt, we cut the t-belt instead of releasing the tensioner and working from bottom to top. Im afraid that if i cut the belt one or both of the cams will rotate and cause a valve to slam a piston. What is your guys thought on this? Is there a way to totate the assembly (dowels pointing firewall side?) so im not a TDC? Id like to just (re-ring, rod bearings, etc) this motor, maybe new pistons and rods so i was planning on leaving the block in the car pulling the pan and head, unless the walls need boring and releasing a few motor mounts for movement and replacing timing belt.

thanks guys in advance for any advice

 

[BeatupVR4]

Totate? Proof reading your posts FTW!

You can cut the belt but you want to do it when the motor is at TDC (The cam dowls facing up and the crank trigger marks lined up) Yes the pistons are up but all the valves are also closed, hence why you put the motor like this when you put a timing belt on.

 

[thricestrat]

Thanks for the quick reply Jim, will give that a shot. Going to replace rod bearing with Clevite 55's, NPR rings, Cometic HG (sp), and ARP head studs. Any suggestions or experience with this setup would be greatly appreciated. Also im going to hone the block myself, and have the head decked by a local machine shop, unless more work is needed depending on the wear of the cylinder walls.

 

[BeatupVR4]

I'm a big fan of factory parts but I know those Clevlite bearings are very good. The cometic HG might be overkill unless your getting it for a great price. Never heard of the rings before but I've also never looked into rings. And I swing from ARP's nuts so I'm sure you can guess the answer there.

 

[thricestrat]

Nice, thanks again for your input im going to tear it down this weekend for the rebuild ill let you know how it goes.