Engine timing belt replacement

[TheWheelMan]

If the crankshaft indicator is lined up with its mark then is it always at top dead center compression stroke for cylinder 1?

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by TheWheelMan

If the crankshaft indicator is lined up with its mark then is it always at top dead center compression stroke for cylinder 1?

Top dead center is top dead center, its the cams position that decides if its the exhaust or compression stroke. Just align the marks on the crank and both cams and you will be fine.

[alia176]

I hope you don't mind a slight hijack but I'm in the same boat and I have some questions on this same exact topic.

Please refer to the pics of the two camshafts and notice that only two out of the three marks are lined up. The mark on the back cover and the mark on the timing belt line up. FSM shows three marks have to line up: on the belt, on the camshaft pulley and on the back cover. For the life of me I can't get all three to line up, only two marks line up for each camshaft. What am I doing wrong, if anything?

left camshaft



right camshaft

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by alia176

I hope you don't mind a slight hijack but I'm in the same boat and I have some questions on this same exact topic.

Please refer to the pics of the two camshafts and notice that only two out of the three marks are lined up. The mark on the back cover and the mark on the timing belt line up. FSM shows three marks have to line up: on the belt, on the camshaft pulley and on the back cover. For the life of me I can't get all three to line up, only two marks line up for each camshaft. What am I doing wrong, if anything?

left camshaft

Noooo dont worry about the marks on the belt, all you have to align is the marks on the crankshaft gear and the cams. In your pics, the cams need to be set to the right marks. There is a notch on each cam gear, looks like on yours they are highlighted white, THOSE are what need to be aligned to the back timing cover marks, dont pay attention to the arrows on the cams. As long as you install the belt with the crankshaft gear top dead center at the mark, and both cam gears set with the notches at their marks, then the engine is timed.

You can download the service manual for the car below, in my signature. Open the .pdf that reads 3.3 engine, and it will give you more info on the matter.

[alia176]

ok, will do.

I'll reinstall everything per FSM, with the arrows on the camshaft pulleys pointing up and all the belt lines lined up.

Thanks.

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by alia176

ok, will do.

I'll reinstall everything per FSM, with the arrows on the camshaft pulleys pointing up and all the belt lines lined up.

Thanks.

Do not pay attention to the arrows on the cams, nor the lines on the belt. Align the GROOVES highlighted white on the cams to the timing marks, and the crankshaft, THEN the engine is timed. The belt lines and the arrows DONT matter, so ignore them.............