Iv just installed a recon engine and last night it wouldn't start and immediately sounded like there was no compression, Considering i have never done a timing belt change on one of these engines before im guessing iv timed it up 180 degree wrong, i followed the workshop manual but guess i may have read over it to quickly. does this sound about right?

 

if in doubt start again trickiest side is pass side as you have to hold the cams

 

Just make sure the woodruff key on the crankshaft is at 6 o'clock and also make sure you are lining the line up at 12 o'clock and not the arrow on the crank shaft sprocket. I know a few people that have lined the arrow up by mistake.

 

so if iv lined the wrong end up on the crank pulley, do i just need to remove belt rotate it 180 to the other mark and reset the belt? will it be quite obvious?

 

Would it not of bent valves being half a cycle out?

 

i believe not, as it turns freely and there was no knocks when i did a few turns slowly with turning the crank pulley with a spanner to check, and i did read elsewhere this can happen if your a numpty like me and there is more than one option or way of doing it.

 

I'm gona attempt to do mine too for the 1st time but not looking forward to it

 

i have to say it wasnt to bad wit hthe information that is out there, i downloaded the workshop manual and that was a big help, the only bugger is wit hthe old type tentioner you have to put it in a vice to compress the arm which means if you dont have a vice you have to take it somewhere.
Fingers crossed my issue is just a matter of re positioning everything and re positioning the crank gear then refitting the belt, just filled with coolent so will try and do it with rad still in place, should be fun.

 

Friend did exactly the same thing infact he thought you used the belt pulley mark lol re timed up off it went no bent so you might be ok.
CAM BELT REPLACMENT GET IT WRONG GET IT A TOOTH OUT AND ITS CURTAINS
LET SOME ONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY DOING DO IT COULD BE COSTLY MISTAKE.

 

For reference :
The lines marked in yellow are the cam belt timing marks (safe position, pistons are halfway down the bores).
The triangle at the 3 o'clock position is the TDC mark and should not be used for cam belt installation.



Mick

 

Thanks for the help guys,

After a hell of a lot of faffing yesterday i got the timing set properly and she started immediately. Just waiting for my down pipe decat to arrive and she will be back on the road prior to the new gearbox going in.