Quick timing light/crank pulley question

[soldave]

OK, so the timing light looks to match the marks on the lower cambelt cover with mark(s) on the crankshaft pulley. And the crank pulley is bolted on by 4 bolts. So is it possible for the crankshaft pulley to be 90* off, meaning that you'll not be able to get the timing lined up with the cambelt cover marks?

I think I'm missing something but it was just a thought that came into my head as my garage was having some issues timing the car (maybe just due to their ineptitude at being able to time an early Evo).

 

[snowborder714]

Yep, it sounds like the harmonic dampener has separated, but not separated

I actually had this happened where the inside spun, but didn't separate. Check out my thread, with the good info starting at post #19.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/bolt-tech/301956-resolved-cant-set-base-timing-using-cas.html

 

[soldave]

Ahh... sorry, you misunderstand. The crank pulley is almost brand new and in good condition. Almost certain it's not separated. What I mean is, is it possible to put the crankshaft pulley on but have it 90* off (so let's say the bolt that should be at 12 o'clock is actually at 3 o'clock)?

 

[snowborder714]

There's a dowel pin that should help you install the pulley correctly.

 

[soldave]

Right, so in that case it should be damn near impossible to bolt it up wrong and still get all the belts onto it?

 

[snowborder714]

I believe I have read about cases where the dowel pin has been pushed back in far enough (or even missing) so that you could bolt it up incorrectly if not paying attention. And no matter how you bolt it up, you should be able to get the belts on just fine since you're really only rotating it around the center if you bolt it up 90*, 180*, or 270* off.

 

[soldave]

Right, but if it's 90* off or whatever then you won't be able to set the timing with a timing light.

 

[soldave]

Last night me and my buddy took a timing light to the car again. Once again couldn't find the timing mark so we pulled the top timing belt cover and splashguard so we could turn the engine until the timing mark was set at 5*. When it lined up the cam gears were lined up perfectly, but 45* off. Turned the crank pulley 360* and looked again. Once again the cam gears were 45* off, but lined up. There was no way the car would still be running like it was and everything be off.

So we found the hole in the cam pulley that the dowel pin goes through and we saw... nothing! There was just metal behind and no sign of a pin. Took the bolts off the pulley and rotated it 90 degrees. The hole appeared behind the cam pulley hole and the bolt holes lined up so we tightened it all up and from then timing was a piece of cake.

So another problem solved!

 

[snowborder714]

Glad to hear!