Crank timing with broken timimg belt

[mercdod]

96 ranger with 2.3
How do I know where to align crank or does it matter. I know it aligns with mark at TDC but how do I know if its on the compression stroke? I know the piston is at tdc once on compression and once on exhaust. Not sure if it matters at this point but was wondering since there is a sensor on the crank. Not sure if this sensor tells it when to fire or if there is a cam sensor that tells it when to fire. I do know when all is aligned cam etc... are all on there marks. I guess what i am asking is if no belt is on and I have crank aligned to TDC mark I can align everything else and it will start ok. Or I can rotate 1 revolution and do the same thing and it will start ok. Am I making any sense to you?

Thanks Guys

 

[Spott]

The cam and valves determine which TDC is compression and which is exhaust, not the crank itself.

As long as you have the crank at TDC (and it should line up with the mark there) then the crank is in the right spot; just line the cam up with the mark, too.

 

[adsm08]

If the cam isn't turning there is no compression or exhaust stroke, or any other, since the position of the valves determine what stroke you are on.