Just replaced the timing belt and tensioner on my b18c and i'm having issues setting TDC with skunk 2 cam gears..

I searched and found a thread with this info in it:

I set TDC and the top dots aren't exactly straight up (they seem cocked to the left just a tad), but the side dots are dead on.. rotate the engine over a couple revolutions and it's off a tooth every time.

No matter what I do, I can't get it where it's supposed to be.

My first time doing this and i have no idea how to fix this..

Any help is appreciated..

 

What are your cam gear settings? can you take a pic of what it looks like?

 

What do you mean settings? here's a crappy cell phone pic..

This is how it ends up no matter what I do..

 

Before anything make sure cam gears at set to 0. Then set the cam gears to top dead. Take off the timing belt rotate crank a little clockwise till you can get the belt back on.. Put the belt back on rotate the crank counter clockwise(once belt is on) to remove slack from the non tensioner side(do not move cam gears) Once this is done. grab the intake cam gear with a open end and pull its(clockwise) to remove slack from in between cam gears. While holding the cam gear pull up on the tensioner(with wire hanger or bucket handle). Then let go of the cam gear and tighten down the tensioner. Your marks should be lined up. LMK how it goes kinda hard to explain the process. I tried my best.

 

What i've been doing is..

Rotating the crank pulley around clock wise, lining up the timing marks on the pulley with the timing belt cover. Set cam gear timing dots on gears side to side and other dots up.. loosen tensioner and turn the crank pulley counter clock wise 3 teeth to tension the belt, then snug the tensioner bolt... Then rotate the engine around clock wise a couple of times and try to line it back up TDC and the side dots on the cam gears are off, every time it never fails.

 

That's your major mistake

Looks like you need to practice what you preach and search before posting, there are numerous threads on how to properly time and tension the timing belt

 

its suppose to be counter clock wise......

 

First and foremost I wanna apologize for my rude response earlier.. I was on my lunch break being rushed off the PC and combination of being pissed off at this whole situation.. grr

When you say practice what you preach, I'm a little lost.. I'm not in this forum bashing everyone, locking everyone's **** down, etc. I remove the classifieds and the off topic bashing and respond to post reports as needed. I've never had an issue with someone creating a new topic, You shouldn't either.

I don't know everything and I'm here to learn just like anyone else. This is my first time having to do this on my own with no help. I had previously checked the [faq] threads in my other forums for a good timing belt write-up, but all the photos were dead.

I was going off what someone had told me, but turns out that was the wrong way.. I was spinning the engine over clock wise only lining up the TDC marks on the crank pulley, The tension on the timing belt was good (I went by what I had read in the service manual .pdf)

I'm gonna attempt to redo everything here shortly, but thanks for your help.

 

Line everything up, rotate counter clockwise 3 teeth at the camshaft (either one), tighten the tensioner, done.

 

That's what I was previously doing, but someone how it always ends up being off a tooth.

One question.. after you've did the process you just stated.. spin the engine over manually counter clock wise a couple of revolutions to make sure everything is lined up?

 

Yes. If you go clockwise, it messes everything up.

 

My advice, don't get hung up of the dots at 12 o'clock of each gear. We can't see where the crank is in you pic but it looks like you're almost there.

My technique.
1) Set the crank just shy of TDC cylinder 1 (timing gear on the oil pump lined up with the crank sprocket)
2) Turn the crank slightly till the 3 o'clock dot on the exhaust gear is directly across from the 9 o'clock dot on the intake gear.
3) Using a long straight edge (1 foot ruler) now check that the 9 o'clock dot on the exhaust gear lines up with the 2 dots you just matched up AND the 3 o'clock dot on the intake gear)... i.e. 4 dots all line up.

If yes and the crank is close to TDC on cylinder 1 then you're golden.

 

Thank you all for your posts & help.. especially pr0honda. I got everything on properly and the car is running. It's been a hell of a learning experience.

 

Back from the dead. I am having this same issue with AEM cam gears. No matter what I do my cam gears are exactly 1 tooth off.

Any insights Jimmy?