26 miles on my swap and the front crank seal decided to let loose today Got the timing belt all lined up and started to remove it when the crapiness happened, that bottom right side pully (when looking at the car heado on) snapped out of phase and made a lovely ping noise. Think it tagged the piston? The top crank pulley seemed to be lined up with the top of the motor/bracket that goes behind it so I hope the pistons were deep enough in the block that it can't happen but I really don't know for sure.

 

If the drive gear remained reasonably in line with the mark on the oil pump housing you will be ok. At this point all the pistons are midway up the bores.

The ping you talk about will just be spring tension as the bucket/follower comes off the cam profile and on to the BCD rapidly.

 

As above if the crank was aligned with the pistons in the middle of the bores you'll be fine

 

agreed the only risk is turning the inlet and exhaust cams at the same time in the wrong direction etc..

That will have sprung to valve in.. therefore they cannot clash with anything and the position of the inlet cam if lined with the marks on the cam cover will mean they cannot clash..

 

oh and when you put the belt back on you'll probably do the same thing several times.. lol

Simon

 

What a relief! Thanks again for the quick replies.

 

did the same on a Legacy GT, made a nice ringing noise but has been fine since the belt was put back on and no running issues.

good luck,
GAZ