Timing CAMS

[candyredtd]

Hi everyone, cut a long story short I had a long running issue with my motor. Compression was down on cylinder 1 and 3.

So I started to stip the motor for a full rebuild I was lining the timing marks up the cams before taking the timing belt off and the the Exhaust Cam would line up to its mark at TDC but the Intake was at 7oclock.

Speaking to a few friends and other forums it sounds like the belt may have slipped

I have removed the timing belt of the top to cam gears but I am now thinking I should re time the motor and try the compression test again with everything meeting up.

Can some give me an idea how to set the cam gears timing and reinstall the timing belt corretly?? Any help is appreciated!!!

[dattodude]

Dude, it's been discussed a thousand times and the factory workshop manual is available on many websites at 25Mb in size.

The marks for the camwheels are on the cam backing plate, and the crank needs to be lined up with a mark on the block. You need to remove the crank pulley for that to be 100% accurate. The belt just goes on then.

It's more likely you've bent valves from the intake wheel being so retarded.The intake camwheel should be at like 10 o'clock.

[candyredtd]

Thanks Dattodude, I did search and found alot of information about how to install the timing belt.

Set it at TDC align marks on gears and take belt off.

What I did not find was what to do if the cam gear timing was off and how to rectify it.

I beleive I need to rotate the camshaft to adjust it but just want to be sure on the correct process before doing this and breaking anything.

[float_6969]

the problem is that if it is as far off as you say it is, it's quite possible the valves are bent. You can try and fix it, but it may be too late. It won't hurt to try I guess.

Just a note, although it can be done by yourself, it's MUCH easier with an extra set of hands.

There is a mark on the lower timing cog and a mark (more like a notch) on the oil pump. With the motor at TDC those should be aligned.

There is a mark on each one of the cam pulleys and a marks on the back plate behind the cam pulleys. It is easier to line these up if you remove the valve covers and get a big pair of vice grips or a cresent wrench on the camshaft. There is actually a spot on there that isn't rounded specicically for that reason. I also use small vice grips to hold the belt to the cam gear once I get it in the right place.

[candyredtd]

Thanks for that Float.

I tried to rotate the cams with a cresecent wrench but as I turn it forward it jumps back to where I moved it from.

I can obviously put more force to hold it after each move but just want to be sure this is the correct way of doing and if it should be reacting in this way or just moving?

Finally is it possible to check the compression on the motor with out the timing belt attached and teh cams in action? If I could do this and my compression returned when the cams where not in use then it would tell me it was the timing? Is there a way to do this?

Thanks for your help!