When I set my motor to #1cyl TDC, I cannot get both timing marks to line up exactly at the same time...

-If the marks on the cam gears are lined up, the crank pulley notch will be off by 2-3mm..

-If I line up the crank pulley to the lower timing cover pointer, then the cam gear marks are off by 2-3mm.

Could the belt have jumped a tooth? I would have thought that the two different points would line up at the same time. Any opinions welcome. TIA

 

Crank the crank to TDC. If you look at the camshafts/cam holder there will be a hole at the top. If both the holes don't line up then its off.

What you can do is take off the timing belt. Have the Crank at TDC so that #1 piston is at TDC. Then set the camshafts at TDC so that #1 valves are all closed. Put your finger on the rockers (I think thats what they are called) and wiggle them. If all the #1 rockets (Both intake and exhaust) are loose then you are straight. Then get two metal rods and stick them into the hole on the top of the first cam holder and right through the cam shaft hole.

that will hold the camshafts so they don't move. Then slip the belt on. Turn it counterclockwise 3 teeth marks. Tension it. Turn it to TDC. If it is still off by a notch, untension the belt and adjust the belt and retension it. Trial and error.

 

i set my crank to tdc by aligning the mark but also sticking a rod into my no. 1 cylinder and making sure the piston was at the top of the stroke. then i turned my cams so they were lined up on their markings. then slip the belt on in that position. that does the trick.