Timing belt marks?

[pete c]

I'm in the middle of my bottom end 60k and I got to the point where you pull the motor around until the lines on the timing belt line up with the dots on the cam pulleys and the line on the rear of the timing belt cover.

The dots on both cam pulleys are one tooth behind the line on the belt. Could it be that both cams jumped a tooth? Or do I just keep spinning the thing until they line up?

One other thing. I busted the middle cover when I was yanking it off. About a 2 inch piece from the left side. I'm thinking of getting some 5 min epoxy and patching it up. Anybody ever try this? Is there better stuff to patch it with?

thanks,

pete

 

[ISHOU]

Damn those middle timing belt covers!!! Mine broke right in the middle during my 100K. As for the timing marks, as long as you got the cam pulleys lined up at 12:00 and the crank marks lined up at 5:00, don't worry about the belt being off a tooth. I've read posts here before where the marks on the belt didn't line up. What brand belt are you using?

 

[jthomas68]

Did you put the belt on with the cam dots and crank line all lining up,then spin the motor trying to line then up again?That is the check on Shotimes,but it doesn`t work.As long as they all line up when you put it together,you`re fine.

 

[sdpatt]

Are you ready to remove the old belt or have you already installed the new one? jthomas68 is absolutlely correct about the marks not aligning after you have turned the crank with the new belt. The lines on the belt do not matter during removal of the old belt as long as you have all three index marks at their correct positions. The two cam pulleys should have the index marks set at 12 o'clock and the mark on the crank pulley should be set to the index mark on the block at approx. 5:00 PM.

Here are a few photos of the correct alignment of the belts, pulleys and index marks during the installation of the new timing belt on both a 3.0L and 3.2L SHO. After the first rotation of the crankshaft, you are not likely tor get the white marks on the belt in this arrangement again.

Crankshaft pulley
3.0L:

3.2L:

Camshaft pulleys

 

[Brockieb71]

Where is the mark on the crank pully? 1995 MTX

 

[AREA 91]

There is a "dot" on the crankahaft timing sprocket.

 

[itwonder]

The requirement is to turn the crank until the timing marks on the camshaft pulleys align with the reference marks on the cover. The sprocket on the crankshaft also has a mark, a dot machined into the face that aligns with a reference mark. The only time the marks on the belt line up with these is when you first install it. Once the belt is on and the crank is turned again, the marks on the belt march and they will not line up again for hundreds of revolutions.

 

[sdpatt]

I refreshed the images in my post above.

 

[Brockieb71]

I have my 95 MXT which is down to the block, I need some advice on what direction I should take in putting it back together. Should I attempt to go for the 3.2 or stay with the 3.0. The threads that bolt the crank pulley has been damaged on the 3.0, so I would have rethread it or weld a stud and add a nut. your advices would be greatly appreciated. The engine has 158k and ran solid before the tear down, in which I though I bent a valve or so but no evidence ot that.

 

[93rev2sev]

Don't bother with a 3.0. Save the intake cams for the 3.2.

Just buy a used 3.2. Strip it like your 3.0 and put all the 3.0 stuff on it...from the oil pump to the alternator and engine harness.

I recommend all new seals and rod bearings for the 3.2 build.