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[WGoins88]

Ok, so I followed the directions to put the crank to 60* BTDC....however...

My idiot arse didn't know that the cam sprockets were going to slip when I pulled the belt off! I know there is no damage because I put it to 60*, but how in the heck am I supposed to know where to reset them to? Should I just say screw and and dump the car, or is there hope?

Yes, I know I should have the timing install kit, but I can't afford the insane deposit that comes with them, nor can I afford a new one!

[Welung666]

Which engine?

[Andy B]

Which engine?

USA had a  choice of one ..... a proper V6 

[Welung666]

Which engine?

USA had a  choice of one ..... a proper V6 

Shouldn't be too hard to straighten out. Maybe you can order the timing set a couple of us here have recently picked up for around £90. I wonder if they ship to the US? If not I could buy one on your behalf and ship it over

[2woody]

I have a kit, but rarely use it now - it is very possible to time up using the marks on the sprockets. I actually did one up-side down at the weekend ( don't ask )

start at the crankshaft and work around, remembering not to leave too much slack in the tensioner at any time.

[WGoins88]

Well, the problem here is that at 60* BTDC, the cam sprockets have no marks, therefore I don't know where they were at! And it's not like I can turn the crank to TDC, because I'll end up hitting valves.

[Welung666]

Can you take a picture of the cam sprockets and post them on here?

[Marks DTM Calib]

Ok, assuming the correct tools are not available, then do the following.

Reset the cam sprocket positions to the markings on the rear plate. Each cam sprocket has two marks, the left hand pair are marked 1 and 2, the right hand ones 3 and 4.

The markings should read 1- as you read left to right.

Now you need to lock them in postion somehow, some cloths pegs or something might do it but, dont clamp them together, they are sintered steel so prone to cracking under such sheer forces.

Now we need to get the belt on and timed as best as we can given the lack of the correct kit.

So set the lower adjustable idler so the offset is at 3 Oclock and the upper one at 12 Oclock.

Bring the crank round so the timing mark is at 6 Oclock and aligns with the marking on the oil pump casting.

Now rotate the crank back about 5 or so degress and thread the cambelt, starting at the crank, anti clockwise. You may want to put a wedge to the left of the crank sprocket to stop the belt slipping.

Keep it fairly taught as you go and it helps to use a flat blade screwdriver gently wedged between the belt and rear cover to hold the belt on the cam sprockets as you go.

Before you thread it onto the tensioner (which is often easier done with it removed), rotate the crank back so its at TDC and aligned with the timing marks (at 6 Oclock).

Once fitted, tension the belt up, I tend to over tension it.

Now set the lower idler so the offset is at 12 Oclock and the upper one to 6 Oclock.

Rotate the crank through 2 full revolutions and re-check the timing and retension if needed.

Its not ideal but will be ok, its worth trying to get a loan of a kit to set it correctly at some point in the future

[tidla]

[WGoins88]

Yeah, I know how to set it to the 0* mark on the oil pump housing and set the cam sprockets to the backing plate, however like I said, my crank is set to 60* BTDC, and I can't move it or the cam sprockets independently, or it will hit the valves. What I'm trying to achieve is getting the cam sprockets back to the 60* BTDC setting.

Here's where mine is at -



And this is the pics I just took -

[Welung666]

Follow Marks instructions above. Leave the crank where it is and working from the left line up the 1st cam to the number 1 mark against the notch in the back cover. same with the 2nd cam, number 2 to the notch and wedge them together with a wooden clothes peg or similar. Do the same for cams 3 & 4, they don't look far off actually Once you have all 4 wedged turn the crank clockwise back to TDC.

[edit]to clarify - with the crank at 60º before TDC you have all 6 pistons in the safe zone (as in halfway down/up the stroke) so they are all level and well clear of the valves. This is so you can turn the cams without damaging the valves. Once you have the cams set turn it the 60º back to TDC and you should be all lined up again.[/edit]

[WGoins88]

Ok, I am SO stupid. Sure enough... I turned all the sprockets to their rightful positions, locked them with clothespins, and turned to the crank to 0*... and it worked! I feel so dumb now....

[Welung666]

Ok, I am SO stupid. Sure enough... I turned all the sprockets to their rightful positions, locked them with clothespins, and turned to the crank to 0*... and it worked! I feel so dumb now....

Don't worry, we all have those kinds of 'moments'. Me more than most