I found that the timing belt had slipped, the crank was 2 or 3 notches out anticlockwise.. this happened as i changed the clutch. Im not sure how but it must of happened when i was sliding the engine onto the gear box. i turned the big pully to get the spline to slot into the spigot bearing. it must of just slipped.. would this of damaged any valves?? if not how out must the timing be before it starts to damage any valves?

 

I read somewhere that your ok up to 3 teeth but its never happened to me so i dont know for sure was the belt loose?

 

the belt was quite loose.. i put a new tensioner on today and all is fine, im lucky it sliped 3 not 4 teeth.

 

That's good to hear most aren't so lucky,time to buy a lottery ticket

 

It's surprisingly easy to shift the cam timing about by turning the engine backwards if the tensioner isn't doing the job well. We've seen a few do that where the owner has accidentally turned the engine the wrong way while trying to bump start.

 

i need to do a pressure test on all the pistons.. it splutters and miss fires when im just crusing and not bootin it.. a couple of valves may be bent . i cant think what else it may be?

 

If the engine is making a tapping noise from the cylinder head(s) then its quite probably bent some valves (the valve hits the seat at an angle making the noise).