I recently changed the timing belt, water pump and tensioner on my 1998 B20b. After correctly setting the timing with the white mark on the crank aligned with the notch on the lower plastic and the cams pointed directly UP I took it for a 200 or so mile drive. Today I go to check the valve lash adjustment in preparation for another 200 or so mile drive and the red mark on the crank lines up with the notch in the lower plastic and the cams point UP. Am I 16 degrees before top dead center or what? I did not set the distributor timing as I did not take it off.


The car ran fine I just need to know if I want the single (white) line from the crank to the lower plastic or the red mark for #1 cylinder to be at TDC to do a valve lash adjustment. Sorry if I am unclear.

I used a thorough article from team integra as well as the acura manual while doing this.

 

You really should purchase a factory service manual so there is on question on this process or other work in the future.

The single white line is 0* / TDC and is where you need to be with the cam sprocket marks lined up with the arrows with the word "UP" embedded in them facing relative up. You don't worry about the "UP" arrows pointing exactly up but rather the lines on the sprockets matching. The "UP" arrows are to let you know you are not 180* out of phase on your mechanical timing.

So cam sprocket arrows pointing up with sprocket lines making a straight line and the single white crankshaft pulley mark inline with the plastic cover's timing tab. Be sure you have the timing belt appropriately tightened while you are at it.

 

Off topic but Im guessing the factory service manual is way better then parts house Chilton book? Need to replace a timing belt and have loooots of questions.

 

Helms manuals (FSM) are the ONLY way to go and well worth the investment for any car. Haines and Chiltons manuals keep going up in price and they are actually REMOVING information in later reprints. I have dozens of repair manuals and some double copies of ones that are worn out. My older books from 10 - 15 years ago include manual transmission rebuilds and such and the new reprints of the old books just say "take it to an authorized dealer" or some BS. If they already took the time to gather the information originally, why remove it?

Sorry for my rant, but it just pisses me off.