to anyone that may be able to help me...

I'm having trouble getting the marks on my cam gears to allign when the crank is on the piston #1 TDC mark. I've tried this process 4 times and still can't figure out where I'm going wrong. This is what I'm doing step by step...

1) set the crank pulley to piston #1 TDC
2) loosen the tensioner so I can slip the timing belt off the cam gears. (belt is now off cam gears)
3) align the marks on the cam gears with the mark on the plastic shroud. (cam gears alligned perfectly)
4) slip belt back on cam gears.
5) check to make sure crank is still on the piston #1 TDC mark. (crank is still on #1 TDC)
6) tighten the tensioner.
7) rotate the crank 6 complete revolutions.
8) loosen the tensioner.
9) turn the crank so 3 cam gear teeth pass.
10) tighten the tensioner.

When the cam gears allign properly with each other, I am about 1/4" past TDC on the crank pulley. I'm getting completely frustrated with this because I just can't get the cam gears alligned when piston #1 is at TDC.

Is it possible that I did it right and this 1/4" variance is normal?