I need to replace my timing belt, but the aftermarket parts on my car (99 HX) are confusing me. Any insight would be great.

It looks like the camshaft gear is adjustable, and I'm not sure it was installed correctly. The gear is keyed, correct? So I could throw an OEM cam gear on and not have to worry about TDC not matching up with the cam gear?

It also has an aftermarket crank pulley that doesn't appear to have any TDC markings on it. This part is keyed also, so maybe I could engrave my own TDC markings on it? Not sure what to do about that. (pic at end)

I pulled the spark plug on cyl #1 and used the wooden dowel method to gauge when the piston started at TDC, and when it started to drop from TDC.

TDC start:




TDC end:




Crank pulley:

 

So, it just occurred to me that the crank pulley just runs the various belts. So the crank pulley doesn't actually need TDC markings? Crank pulley markings are just a double-check to make sure the timing belt is installed correctly, right?

As long as the cam gear and the and the timing belt drive pulley on the crank agree, everything should be OK?

 

Don't know what "agree" means. What do you think the crank pulley is attached to? The crankshaft. That's why they call it mechanical timing. BTW. Where are your belt/timing covers? You need those to set the timing properly.

 

Is the car modded other than that cam gear? If not, remove it, get a stock one and time normally.

 

The car was missing the upper timing belt cover when I bought it. Do I need the upper timing belt cover to set the camshaft timing belt pulley? Are the TDC marks at 3 and 9 o'clock on the cover, or could I use the engine block to line them up?

I haven't pull it apart yet. Is indicator "B" in this diagram on the engine behind the crank pulley? And A would be on the timing belt drive pulley? http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/q...ar/6-22a25.gif

I don't think the cam or crank are otherwise modded, but I'm not 100% certain. I'll order the OEM camshaft pulley and replace the aftermarket one.

 

dont buy a oem one, urs is the exact same if u zero it out. Those three bolts in the middle need to b loosened and put in the middle of there notches, thats what makes it a adjustable cam gear. have u figured out the marks on the cam gear? seems like the star one should b pointed up or u can look at the camshaft position by removing the valve cover. If u have it on the right stroke, rotating counter clockwise, the intake valve on #1 should be about to open and the exhaust should of just closed but neither should be open once u set the cam in the proper position. Def do some research before u proceed, im sure theres pics of correct aem cam gear placement if u google it.

Normally ud use a pointer on the upper timing cover aligned with a notch on the stock cam gear and the top of the cam gear says up. Yep ur correct on the b and a, its just a lil pointer on the oil pump and a notch in the timing gear, it inditicates tdc for ur #1

 

True. True. That should have been obvious to me.

 

I ordered all the parts for the timing belt job, before I saw the last couple posts. I ordered the OEM cam gear since it was only like $20, and it's one less thing for me to worry about or mess up.

With the OEM cam gear, going off of this picture, it looks like I'd be able to line the TDC marks up with the head. Am I reading that right?
http://cdn.2carpros.com/automotive_p...Graphic6_4.jpg

 

Sell the aftermarket one. You should get more than $20 for it.