Movement of Crank While Setting Timing...Can You Tell Me

[RollinonZ34]

Can anyone tell me how to stop crank from moving while putting on New Timing Belt?
Basically, i have All 4 Flats Up, & Locked down so they can't move. I then turn the crank and line up the marks for TDC. I then put on the New Belt, Pulleys, and Tensioner Pulley, with new actunator already in place. Now when i pull out the paperclip, or pin that comes with the new actunator the ball comes out and engages the tensioner pulley like it should, and tightens the belt...Thinking everything is Good, i look back down with flashlight, and see that the crank has moved and is now about 10* off So i think that i somehow moved the Intermediate shaft while putting on the Timing Belt (which moves Crank via chain) i pull everything back off and do it all over Install everything again making sure that i don't move Crank or Shaft...release pin again and walla...tightens belt and moves Crank again So now i realize that it is the actuanator that is moving everything when i release pin..WTF***... I had put car in gear hoping that it would stop the Intermediate shaft from moving accidently, but didn't help...it's an automatic... so i took it all back off and this time advanced the crank Timing mark so that when it tightened...it would pull the 10* landing at TDC...It worked, for the most part..havn't cranked it up yet, as it is raining and have not got back together yet.

Is there any other way to do this a better way than to just guess at it? Sorry this is so long, but had to tell it like it is
Thanks for any comment...Paul

[grandprixgtp_91]

RE: Movement of Crank While Setting Timing...Can You Tell Me

you could just install the belt and then spin the engine 360* to tdc and then lock the cam gears down.

Jake

[RollinonZ34]

Re: RE: Movement of Crank While Setting Timing...Can You Tel

you could just install the belt and then spin the engine 360* to tdc and then lock the cam gears down.

Jake

This sounds logical & i may do it this way next time, but my only problem with this is that i only loosened 1 Bank (Front Cam Sprockets) because another member told me to try it this way...much easier because i can't get to the Rear Bank with cam gear lock (which by the way i couldn't get to work anyway) i ended up just breaking the front bolts loose without using the Gear tool...Broke 1 socket but had another stronger one.

I guess i had this problem, that i have not heard of anyone else talking about, because i only broke the Front Cam Sprockets loose, and not Both Banks. Both Banks Loose would have let me spin motor while cams were locked down...

Thanks Jake for the reply, as it got me thinking...Need More Beer !

[grandprixgtp_91]

RE: Re: RE: Movement of Crank While Setting Timing...Can You

well your bestbet is to pull the rear cam carrier and break the bolts loose , take out the lock rings and then re-install, its alot easier, and more clean and then your garanteed a proper timing job, dont try doing any other way it usually dont work proper and you will notice a performance loss. the only thing is you want to hold those lifters in place so your gonna need some rubber fuel line and wedge it between each pair of lifters , i dont remeber what size of fuel line to use but that should keep the lifters in place. this is the best way to do the timing and it will run the best.

Jake

[series8217]

Why must the cam carrier be removed to get the rear cam bolts and lock rings out? I just did it last night without having to pull the carrier. Is it due to clearance issues when in the car? My engine was on a stand...

[grandprixgtp_91]

yes, the strut tower is butted up against the rear cam gears.

Jake