'08 GX470 Timing belt replacement possible misstep. Counterclockwise OK or no?

[Beej]

Hi folks,

Hope your year is going well. Nice to have the kids around again; home from school?

I've got my '08 Gx470 taken apart for a timing belt job. I've taken everything out including the water pump. I'm looking at my cams and I dont see the timing marks the way I expect. See pics with text to show where timing marks are.

I had the crank at top dead center when I took everything apart and used the correct tools to separate crank bolt from pulley. However, to get the engine at TDC, I turned it counter clockwise instead of the normal direction of rotation (clockwise). I probably turned in 2/3 of a turn counter clockwise to align with the 0 mark on timing cover.

This has me concerned. My timing marks do not seem to align but I cant say if turning the engine the wrong way is a deal breaker. If it is, I will need to ask you what my next steps would be. If it isn't, could you confirm I can put this thing back together? I have all torque specs; everything I need. I did the valve cover too, cleaned up some of the oil. I need to not do irreparable damage to this motor right now. Tough day.

Let me know if I can provide more details. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Drivers side cam - yellow timing mark is visible - did NOT find a notch on this gear anywhere

Passenger side cam - yellow timing mark is visible. notch gear tooth on bottom is not visible

Crank - there is a white, indented dot on the bottom of the crank gear face (not visible)
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-- Beej

 

[Beej]

I cant seem to be able to edit the thread. Text below belongs with pics above

Passenger side cam - yellow timing mark is visible. notch gear tooth on bottom is not visible

Crank - there is a white, indented dot on the bottom of the crank gear face (not visible)

 

[Beej]

 

[mmm635]

Correct me if I am misunderstanding you, but it sounds like you are saying the notched gear tooth is in the 6 o'clock position. If so, then your time is off by 180 degrees. The notches should be lined up with the timing mark "T" when changing the belt. The TDC mark to the left is for the actual timing of the engine.

I did mine a couple of weeks ago and is an '04 - '07 has upgraded parts but the timing procedure is the same. As you can see, the marks on the spoke of the cam wheel line up with the "T".

 

[Beej]

Thanks for the pic! Yeah, that is what i expected to see. Mine is an 08.

I will look for yellow marks on the bottom of my cam wheels - all I saw was a notch on one of the teeth on passenger side cam wheel.

Can i still put my new belt on as long as I line up the marks properly? This issue feels ... not good/amateur.