I'll cut right to the chase - I'm installing a new timing belt and here is the problem.

When I set the crank to TDC and try to stretch the belt over the cam gear, the crank pulley moves off of TDC.

I'll stretch the belt over the cam gear and the crank will move a half inch to the right. So then I take the belt off, move it a single tooth over, and now the crank moves a half inch to the left. It's like there is no way to match up the crank and cam gear. Moving the belt a single tooth either way makes the crank move away from TDC.

 

Just a though - have you tried moving it a tooth on the crank side and then see if it lines up?

 

Make sure you have the car in 5th and someone (or something) standing on the brakes. This will help the crank pulley not turn when you position the belt onto the cam gear.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I figured out the problem - when you tighten the tensioner pulley it rotates the crank back into TDC but the cam stays stationary.