2.3 timing belt/cam gear

[redrangerjim]

I have an 83 4x4 with a 2.3 4 cyl and 4 speed. When I got it, it was not running and i have discovered the timing belt broken. It had been running when it was parked 4-5 months ago. I think the belt broke when trying to start it after sitting. I have pulled the cover off and am almost ready to try to put things back together. What's puzzling me is the pulley/gear on the cam is hard to turn. Is this normal or do I have other problems? Any help would be appreciated before I move on with the repair.

Jim

 

[shadetree]

The gear will be hard to turn by hand. I made a tool for turning the cam for alignment. It is a flat bar with two bolts that fit in the holes in the gear.shady

 

[Turbo-T]

That is normal. The pressure from the valve springs combined with slider followers and not run for a while creates a lot of drag.

 

[redrangerjim]

Thanks for the info. I was afraid I had more problems.

 

[Mark_88]

I've always found the cam gear a bit hard to turn, but it may be relative to what you are using and your overall body strength...I can turn my cam gear using only a 10" socket bar...but I'm 6'6" and weigh about 250 lbs...

The bottom end should turn easily if everything is moving smoothly...if you find that on your engine (make sure it's in neutral...lol) then the bottom end should be ok...

If the top or bottom end does not move relatively easily then, yes, you may be in for more work than just a timing belt change...

When my engine was destined to sit for a while I topped up the oil and made a point of trying to rotate the bottom end a few times a month...or less...more would have been better just to keep things smooth...and when I finally put it back together (the head was rebuilt) I poured regular oil over the top end and cranked it a few dozen times...that was much more difficult due to the tightness of the new head...

 

[redrangerjim]

update

I finally got the belt on and everything reassembled. I have been able to crank the truck and let it run. I have turned the distributor trying to fine tune the timing but the truck still doesn't have enough power to pull itself. If i put it in 4 lo it will go but that about the only way. Did I get the belt off a tooth maybe? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Most likely it is off a tooth. What I did was really simple and not very technical. I just marked the tooth I was starting with. Moved the belt one tooth to the left, if that didnt work, i moved it back to the mark and then one to the right. IF that didnt work then 2 left, then 2 right until I found it. Once I found where it ran smooth, I double check by marking that tooth and moving the belt one left and then one right just to feel the motor. If I noticed that it ran the same or a little rougher I went with my mark, If it ran better then I started my double check method over with the tooth that ran smoother. ( anytime you make a mark it has to be different from the others. a couple colors of paint pen is good, just make sure to remove the bad marks when complete)

Hope this all made sense for you, It takes me about 10 minutes to get timing right without a light. Dont add any unneccesary accessories while adjusting the cam belt. just put a charger on the battery and tune away. Otherwise youll be forever and have massive headaches and busted knuckles from rad fan. LOL

 

[88rocco]

The gear will be hard to turn by hand. I made a tool for turning the cam for alignment. It is a flat bar with two bolts that fit in the holes in the gear.shady

You mind flipping the flag up to it's correct position?

 

[SMTGREG]

Setting Cam Timming

This is the way I set initial cam timing. Remove cam cover, set crankshaft at top dead center. I have a piece of 1/4 " steel plate 2"wide and 6" long, But you could use a piece of 2x4. Lay the plate on top of the intake and exhaust cam lobes for #1 cyl and level it to the cam cover rails on the head. Install the belt. The cam timing should be right as long as the head or block have NOT been resurfaced.

 

[Turbo-T]

When you set your ignition timing the vacuum line to the distributor has to be disconnected. If it isn't you'll get a smooth idle and no power when you step on the gas.

 

[shadetree]

You mind flipping the flag up to it's correct position?

Yeah, I mind. Not until this asshole president is gone. You are a newbie to this site, and until you have been here for a while to know what is going on, save your instructions for telling others what to do to yourself.shady

 

[88rocco]

Yeah, I mind. Not until this asshole president is gone. You are a newbie to this site, and until you have been here for a while to know what is going on, save your instructions for telling others what to do to yourself.shady

I served this country for 20 years.....and I'll correct any POS that can't fly it correctly.

 

[shadetree]

I served this country for 20 years.....and I'll correct any POS that can't fly it correctly.

Because you served your country doesn't give you any more priveleges than anyone else. You don't have authority to correct anything.

I also served my country, and I fly the flag upside down as I see my country being in trouble. So don't go getting all high an mighty, and blowing smoke up your own ass. If this bothers you, nobody gives a shit.

Name calling on this site will get you banned, even with initials.shady

 

[redrangerjim]

thanks for the input. i'll try to get it adjusted in the next couple of weeks adn see what happens

 

[88rocco]

Because you served your country doesn't give you any more priveleges than anyone else. You don't have authority to correct anything.

I also served my country, and I fly the flag upside down as I see my country being in trouble. So don't go getting all high an mighty, and blowing smoke up your own ass. If this bothers you, nobody gives a shit.

Name calling on this site will get you banned, even with initials.shady

Your're still a POS!