First time timing belt job questions.

[gusu]

Okay, I'm sure I'll be asking more questions so I'll keep them in this thread.

For now, I am just doing the balance shaft belt and then doing the timing belt tomorrow.

So, I was wanting to confirm that the balance shaft sprocket and the metal piece that keeps the crankshaft sprocket from basically being able to freely spin around both point straight left.

From the VFAQ write up this looks correct, but it's hard to determine considering the fact that the diagram is using the timing marks from the plate and you wouldn't even have it on since you might possibly be taking the belt back off.


*EDIT* This question was resolved. You go off the timing mark on the plate for the crankshaft. New post below as well.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Post a picture it would help.

 

[serviceguy]

From the pictures on VFAQ and the service manual it sure looks like that is the case.

Why take the belt off, once you have the plate on if you need to skip a couple of teeth you can do so on the balance shaft sprocket, you would have to loosen the tensioner anyway.

 

[gusu]

Post a picture it would help.

Basically if you look at the VFAQ I am talking about figure 9.

The part on the crank sprocket I am talking about is the little nub that sticks out a bit that you have to slide the sprocket and the back plate over.

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*edit* I didn't really think about that serviceguy. I guess doing it that way you COULD actually do it like that.

 

[gusu]

Newest questions.

1. I am wondering if the dowels line up with the timing marks on my car or if they will point up eventually. Here is a pic. This is on a 90 by the way, I don't know if that changes anything.

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2. I know how where this bracket slides on (Around the shaft where the tensioner goes) but I am wondering what the smaller bolt tightens down on. It does not have enough length to even make it past the other side of the bracket and sits flush with it, you can also tell that the bolt DID NOT break and was made that way. *This was resolved by the post below*

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Unfortunately my friend took off the tensioner arm so I didn't get to see how it was bolted on.

 

[greddy_1700]

Dowel pins straight up. And that bolt on the bracket is where your timing belt tensioner puller goes. the blue one with the two pin holes in it for swinging it over to tension the belt.

 

[gusu]

With EVERY rotation of the cam sprockets the dowels look like this.

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What am I doing wrong?

 

[serviceguy]

Not sure I am following what you're saying, without the T-belt on the cam sprockets should be free to rotate minus the pressure from the valves that should be somehow lessened by the rockers/lifters.

You should be able to line up the marks on your stock cam gears, put the belt on and keep it in place with some paper clips without too much of an effort.

 

[mchustle]

I'm not sure what you are talking about the dowels should point straight up and then line the timing marks up, from the pic it looks like your trying to line the timing marks straight up.

Also make sure the crank isn't top dead center when spinning the cams or you will bend valves. What I usually do is pull the cams put the block top dead center and then install the cams with the dowels pointing up.

 

[gusu]

Not sure I am following what you're saying, without the T-belt on the cam sprockets should be free to rotate minus the pressure from the valves that should be somehow lessened by the rockers/lifters.

You should be able to line up the marks on your stock cam gears, put the belt on and keep it in place with some paper clips without too much of an effort.

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No matter how many times I rotate the cams the dowels do not change position. I'm sure I am doing something wrong but even my friend who has done a lot of timing belts said this is how it is done. Maybe he misunderstood what I was asking?

 

[serviceguy]

When you had the 'E' in the correct position why did you cranked it once again? It wasn't going anywhere from what I saw. You should put both of them as close to the phased position as possible and them fine adjust them with the belt on so they keep the correct position. I am assuming the crank is at TDC, correct?

 

[mchustle]

Just for future reference it doesn't matter which cam gear goes on which cam, with the exception of the 95-96 because of the Cas.

 

[gusu]

I did figure out the problem I was having before.

My problem is now that when I go to install the timing belt the teeth don't line up at all. I tried setting it up straight and it ended up being a tooth off (counter-clockwise) so I put it on a tooth off clockwise and the same crap. It was off by the EXACT same amount EVEN forward a tooth.

I'm honestly so frustrated I can't even try to work on it.

 

[serviceguy]

I've been in a similar situation several times. Step back, relax, think of something else. Once your mind is off of it, go back and read the VFAQ carefully and it all will most likely make sense...sometimes we put ourselves on the wrong path and each additional turn we take drives us even further from the goal...listen to me going zen monk today!

One thing I could think of could be the head out of specs. On the intake side there's no tensioner to pick up the slack that a lowered head would introduce and that could cause a problem with the alignment once the timing belt is fitted. I have never had such a problem and I ignore if that could actually be a real possibility but it's the only thing that comes to mind in your situation.

mchustle, that is actually only true for aftermarket cam gears. The stock ones only have one mark on the entire perimeter, with both dowel pins pointing up one is on the right of the cam center (exhaust) the other on the left (intake), that is looking at the engine from the driver fender.

 

[josh408]

Well here's what I've learned from timing jobs hope my info helps.
Take out spark plugs if you haven't already to relieve some pressure.
Put both dowel pins pointing up but have the exhaust cam a half a tooth above the intake cam on the marks.
When you pull the grenade pin for the tensioner you'll see why I told you that. To time the balance shaft spin the sprocket and have it point straight up then let go. If it fall toward the timing mark then it's in phase so just line that up without spinning again. If it falls away from the mark then give it one more spin to put it in phase and line it up. Other than that vfaq should have the rest.

 

[serviceguy]

Any update on the T-Belt job?

 

[gusu]

I want to thank everyone who helped me. Unfortunately I was not able to get the belt on.

Apparently it was the older of the two OEM belts (MD326059) and it must have either stretched or shrank over the years.

I got another belt and installed it, and it went in fine.

Odd I know, but that was the problem. I fought and fought with the cam gears and with the balance shaft and thought I had done something wrong. But in the end it was just a bad belt. The tooth on the balance shaft would hit the tooth on the belt causing the balance shaft to be WAY off every single time.

I hope this helps someone in the future.