Stupid Cambelt timming mark question.

[to4garret]

Hi Guys,

I am just reinstalling my timming belt and i've forgotten one thing that vfaw doesnt completely answer.

i have all the marks lined up as per normal,




in the vfaq it only mentions that the inside marks on the cam gears should line up with the head.

yet when i put a straight edge along one pulley to the next i get this; :?



i am confused, cause it looks right, but wrong, i reset everything at least 15 times now and the above is the best i have managed.

Cheers,
Craig.

 

[EVO-00X]

Are you shitting me? Thats normal mate :lol: The dowel pins are up, all the timing marks are aligned, and the 2 x markers on the inside of the cam gears align... just tighten the bastard already... fark 15 times eh?? you be looking at that shit on a slant man! :lol:

 

[to4garret]

i just couldnt remember if all four marks on the cam gears where surposed to be straight

 

[mannynz]

Just finished with my timing belt too.
Yeah, thats normal.
Always check the dowels position and the inside marks on pulleys.

 

[rob323]

Make sure the two inside marks align with the top of the head. I usually slide a 1/8" drill bit in to help make it easier to check. Also, did you pretension your exhaust cam by 2 teeth before releasing the tensioner?

 

[to4garret]

Also, did you pretension your exhaust cam by 2 teeth before releasing the tensioner?

yup i know that trick

 

[SIVART]

i remeber mine being like pic with the straight edge

just turn the motor by hand 4 or 5 times before you turn the key

 

[josh_tsv]

What is this trick with the exhaust gear?

 

[GVR40]

just check the little nuts on the cam gears to make sure they are tight

 

[ChrisBruggemann]

What is this trick with the exhaust gear?

If you set your timing according to the manual or the timing marks rather, The exhaust cam generally skips a tooth. So if you predict and set the timing with the exhaust cam in mind you can generally get the timing correct without messing around, and pulling your hair out.

 

[JAP63]

Good points..i messed around for a while with mine..the angle can make it seem wrong..in fact i ended up putting a straight edge across all 4 marks cos i just couldnt get it to sit right,in essence it was half a tooth out..and thats the best it could be.
I made up for it with the ignition timing.

Dont be too concerned.

 

[mattrat]

yer i found u cant get it spot on...
because i feel that no 2 belts will be the same length.
tensioners can be fked.
lots of variables..

 

[to4garret]

tensioners are all new, belt is maybe 6,000kms old.

i just think its they way they line up.

 

[rob323]

Out of curiosity:
Has the head been decked at all?
Have the cam journals been bored or head rebuilt?
Is the head gasket the original factory one or an aftermarket one?
Has the block been shaved?

 

[to4garret]

Has the head been decked at all?

yup, just flatened for the head gasket.

Have the cam journals been bored or head rebuilt?

no bore, but rebuilt with new stem seals, BC valve springs and BC280's

Is the head gasket the original factory one or an aftermarket one?

its just a standard cometic MLS

Has the block been shaved?

not as far as i am aware.

 

[rob323]

Thanks for that.
I imagine that any change to the distance from the centre of the cams to the centre of the crank (which could be caused by any of my questions above) would cause some slight misalignment of the marks.

 

[GVR40]

i got mine lined up perfectly, (thank god i did otherwise i would have had bent valves...check out my rides write up if your confused)...i guess you start to get good at it after the 5th time.

btw rob, mine has had the head and block flattened and also has a cometic MLS gasket on it.

 

[mattrat]

yer i had to redo my timing today because i was turning it over b hand and bang culd hear valve hitting the cylinder lolz..
now i have it perfect!

 

[GVR40]

hope u didn't bend anything, and that when u heard the bang, u went back the other way

 

[mattrat]

yeh hopefully.. i did go back the other way tho