Is my crank timeark off?

[eddyspaghetti]

Hello, I drive an1997 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, im not sure. Am I ok to taking off the cam lock and cranking the engine again? 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

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[DSMPT]

my cams timing is correct

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.

what should I do next if its off?

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

 

[eddyspaghetti]

O

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.

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?

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[DSMPT]

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.

 

[eddyspaghetti]

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