USDM 93 Honda Del Sol Si
D16A Block
D16Z6 Head

Attempting to do a head gasket job, getting ready to pull the head but i hit one small snag getting everything lined up.

The Harmonic balancer has a total of 5 marks, a group of 3 and a group of 2. Ive read conflicting information on which to align it to, my haynes says to align it to the single mark but i dont have a single mark. Online ive read to align it to the center of the 3 marks. Which is correct?

 

Turn crank exactly to TDC1 using mark behind the crank gear. Loosely install lower timing belt cover and crank pulley. Which of the two crank pulley marks perfectly aligns with pointer on lower timing belt cover? Mystery solved.

The group of three marks is used to set the ignition timing.

 

While i do believe that would work I didnt plan to remove the crank pulley. was trying to do this quick and dirty and just pull the belt/cam gear off. Leave lower timing cover, crank pulley, alternator, engine mount, ex all in place. Then come back for the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, ex after winter when i have more time. Looking at replacement harmonic balancers for the d16z6 they also have a set of 3 marks and then a set of 2 so this must be a common issue. Maybe i can find a picture that still has its white paint

 

I would NOT recommend taking short cuts when installing a timing belt.

However, there may be an alternate approach. Are the cam pulley and old timing belt still installed with the proper engine mechanical timing?

 

Yeah timing belt is still in there as it was before i tore the rest down, havent even loosened the tensioner. I cant verify it is correctly in time tho should be close but without knowing which mark it could be a tooth off in either direction.

Once i verify everything is in time my plan is to mark the cam gear and belt. Tie them together, loosen idler, and pull off the cam gear + belt and keep tension on them until i reinstall the the head and slide the cam gear back onto the cam. Then of course verify everything is still in time / and re tighten the idler

:edit: from the replacement parts i looked at i found one that had the furthest out of the 2 marks painted white. So thats a start

 

Remove spark plug #1.
Lower a long wooden dowel or metal rod into the spark plug hole until it sits on top of the piston.
Turn crank pulley counterclockwise until piston #1 is at its highest point.
Which of the two crank pulley marks aligns with the TDC1 mark on the lower timing belt cover?

 

I have a plastic mini flag stick I used it to verify i was just about at TDC1. I was trying to do like you said and see which aligned but the marks were so close together it was hard to tell with how the piston floats for a second before it comes back down. Between finding the picture of a new pulley with the white mark on the furthest out indent from the ignition timing marks, and finding another thread here on HT that seems to match that. I think in the morning ile try the stick again but this time with a mark etched into it so i can see the movement better. Then attempt to verify the furthest out mark does indeed line up. If everything seems to check out that seems like the correct path forward. If i still cant get a solid answer i may just pull the crank pulley after all and get a 100% answer off the crank gears mark. Ile check back in and let you know how it goes, ty for the help.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...ulley-2533410/

:edit: guess i need to grab a FSM both my haynes and my chilton completely miss the fact there are 2 marks on the crank pulley.

 

The far right mark on the crank pulley in your photo is the TDC mark.

 

Just coming back to wrap up this thread. Its all back together now and does indeed line up to the 2nd mark or in other words the furthest mark out from the ignition timing marks.