timing belt

[deercrusher]

ok so I did the water pump and put the rear upper timing cover back on and then put on the timing sprockets. I then lined up the two upper timing sprockets with the lines on the timing cover then lined up the lower sprocket with the indent on the lower housing. I proceeded to try to put my Gatorback timing belt on and for the life of me could NOT get the line on the lower sprocket to line up on the belt - it was always one notch off? WTF? I tried to pull and pry and couldn't do better than one notch off. This was with the tensioner off the motor and also the timing idler pulley next to the tensioner off - I'd think I should have room but I just can't get that last notch - and If i try too hard i just end up spinning the upper sprockets out of line and have to start over. Any recommendations? Anyone with the same problem? please help as I'm stumped. Thanks in advance

 

[shoon]

When I did mine I pulled my spark plugs out, cause it seemed like I was fighting a bit with compression, the one sprocket would always spin back a bit.

maybe you are having the same problem?

 

[deercrusher]

hmmm..... I like that idea. It will make it a bit easier but unfortunately I think it might be an issue with the gatorback. But I will try to do the TDC method instead of eyeballing the timing mark on the lower sprocket - maybe it will give me that one notch I need.

 

[luigisho]

I would dump the gatorback. They are notoriously tight and you can really fight to get them on accessorties, but not so much in the timing area.

 

[deercrusher]

I didn't do the TDC method yet - waiting for an extra set of hands to hold the coat hanger down in the cylinder while I turn the motor over. But I did look VERY closely at the picture describing how to install the timing belt according to phoenixproject. It looks to me like that mark on the sprocket isn't quite lined up with the indent on the housing. I guess when I eyeballed my line up - I must have had it a bit too far and that's why I couldn't get that one last notch. But at any rate I'm not going to risk it - I'll just to the TDC method. Just wondering if anyone else noticed that in the picture.