2.5L ('98-'01) Can you set the crank gear without removing the balancer?

[Dirtman]

Pics.... i really thought I could get away without pulling the crank pulley to set the timing on this thing, belt was good so didn't need to come off but there's no way to see the marks.

Any tricks to this or should I just suck it up and pull the fan and crank pulley...

 

[Shran]

Gears often have teeth.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Just turn the crank and put number 1 piston on tdc of compression.

 

[Shran]

For realsies though... fans often have blades.

I don't think it's necessary to have the balancer off? Especially if you're reusing the belt that's on it... just put it at TDC #1 and line up your marks on the oil pump pulley and cam. The timing marks will be on the balancer and timing cover... if they're rusted off the balancer or the timing cover is missing, it's very hard to get it set accurately.

 

[sheep herder]

Where's the goat?

 

[Dirtman]

Just turn the crank and put number 1 piston on tdc of compression.

How can you set it to tdc on the compression stroke without the cam attached?

 

[Dirtman]

For realsies though... fans often have blades.

I don't think it's necessary to have the balancer off? Especially if you're reusing the belt that's on it... just put it at TDC #1 and line up your marks on the oil pump pulley and cam. The timing marks will be on the balancer and timing cover... if they're rusted off the balancer or the timing cover is missing, it's very hard to get it set accurately.

Thar be the issue matey, the marks are not on the balancer, they are on the crank timing belt gear which is behind the balancer. The line up mark is on that green peice sticking out behind the balancer and the mark on the gear is on its face, covered by the balancer.

 

[Dirtman]

That little notch is the timing mark, the other mark is on the face of the timing belt gear which obviously cannot be seen...

 

[Shran]

It doesn't need to be on "compression" with the belt off... top dead center has neither a compression stroke or exhaust stroke with the cam taken out of the equation.

Thar be the issue matey, the marks are not on the balancer, they are on the crank timing belt gear which is behind the balancer. The line up mark is on that green peice sticking out behind the balancer and the mark on the gear is on its face, covered by the balancer.

Are you SURE they're not painted over...? Usually they're on the part of the balancer directly behind where the belt rides. The crusty black part in your photo. You line that up with marks on the plastic outer timing cover. I have never seen one set up any other way.

 

[snoranger]

How can you set it to tdc on the compression stroke without the cam attached?

Compression vs exhaust stroke is determined by the cam. TDC is TDC.

 

[Dirtman]

Ill go look again to see if I can find more marks....

 

[Shran]

This is what you're looking for:

From this tech article:

Timing Belt Replacement - 1983-2000 Ranger 4-Cylinder - The Ranger Station

Written By: Desert Rat 23 Disclaimer: Activities and vehicle modifications appearing or described at The Ranger Station and it’s pages may be potentially dangerous. We do not endorse any such activity for others or recommend it to any particular person … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Dirtman]

Ok thanks, i got it I hope...

Problem was, I'm going by the procedure to REPLACE the timing belt which involves installing the belt before putting the balancer back on. The belt gear has its own markings for this. Since I never removed the belt or balancer I got stumped on how to see those marks behind the balancer. I never even noticed the cover has its own marks to line up with the balancer.

I'll double check by pulling the #1 plug but there was a nice big line on the balancer under all the crud and i snapped the cover back on real quick and lined it up.

Dumb dumb moment...

Everything else is lined up so hopefully I can get the tensioner on and start getting this thing running this weekend.

 

[Dirtman]

This is what I was trying to use for marks...

The dot on this gear lines up with the notch above it, but this is hidden by the balancer.

 

[Dirtman]

Done. Thanks.