2.3L ('83-'97) Timing Belt Won't line up

[joemag7]

If it makes you feel better. My 2.3L engine has the same problem. After lining up all the marks, the timing belt would be a half a tooth off on the cam. The first 2 times when I aligned the marks, I retarded the crank a half tooth. This last time around, I advanced the crank a half tooth. Either way, no problems. It doesn't really matter too much with this engine, as long as you got it as close as possible.

Well if a Rocket Scientist says it's no big deal then yes, it does make me feel much better

For records sake; I retarded the cam pulley by half a tooth because I assumed as the belt wears in and gives a little that would advance the pulley on its own, thus making it all perfect (in theory anyway).

 

[McKee2847]

I have the same truck and issue of the cam not lining up. How ever it still sounds like crap when running and try to die. Any suggestions?

 

[tomw]

Put the belt on. Release the tensioner so it tightens the belt. Rotate the crankshaft two complete turns, ending up with the crankshaft at TDC. The keyway should be at Noon o'clock on top of the crankshaft, and the two timing mark sets should align. One possible cause of being off slightly is wear or rust on the keys/keyways. A second possible cause is slop in the installation or design/molding of the rear cover. If it is 'off', the marks may not align no matter what you do.
Be aware that the sprockets changed(actually the belt) to handle square or rounded-corner belt teeth. If you mix and match different sprockets, you can end up with mis-alignment.
tom

 

[McKee2847]

I did all that. Possible slop. The cam is off half a tooth.