RTH - Timing Belt Alignment 01 LX470 (1 Viewer)

[No28AZ]

I followed the process to a T and made sure I didn't move either of my cams. I started at TDC, then rotated 50° to align with the pulley. After a beast of a cam bolt battle, I ensured it was there again. As I start routing my new belt, I am so far off the L Cam mark and pretty much jacked on my R Cam mark too. I've read through so many threads and hoped I haven't missed the obvious answer. Any advice on how to proceed from here is very much appreciated.

 

[No28AZ]

Guess I should mention I'm using this belt.

 

[MJK]

It appears to me that your crank-belt alignment is correct, your right cam is off by 2 teeth, and I can't tell from the photo exactly how far the left one is off.

 

[No28AZ]

It appears to me that your crank-belt alignment is correct, your right cam is off by 2 teeth, and I can't tell from the photo exactly how far the left one is off.

Is it as simple as aligning each cam to the "T" mark?

 

[97 AZ LC]

Is it as simple as aligning each cam to the "T" mark?

No, pay no attention to the Ts for now. You want the cam marks to line up with the arrows on the belt. The cam sprockets have five spokes and one of those spokes has a line running from the center of the sprocket to a notch on the outside edge. You want the arrows on the belt to line up with those lines on the cam sprocket spoke. See OTRAMM video at 16:30:

 

[MJK]

Is it as simple as aligning each cam to the "T" mark?

Forget all the marks on the cover during initial reassembly. Align the belt to the cam pulleys themselves. You have the crank set correctly, and the cams need the notch in them (green added to your photo) aligned to white arrows on the belt.

After you have both cams and the crank set correctly, then you install the tensioner, the lower cover and the crank dampener (loosely). Only then do the alignment marks on the cover come into play. You turn the engine over by hand to check timing. From the FSM:

What this shows is how to check that every 2 revs, the crank and both cams should cross indicated TDC at the same time. Top image FSM image shows how to compare crank to TDC. Bottom FSM image shows how to do it on the cams. In your photo, this is the same as aligning the green arrow I added on the cam to the red arrow arrow I added to the cover.

Forget anything printed on the belt after you have turned the engine over, and don't use the "T" marks for anything ever.

 

[No28AZ]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the assistance!

 

[No28AZ]

Victory! Thanks forum.

 

[MJK]

Excellent! Don't forget to check it per FSM after you put the tensioner, cam belt guide ring, lower cover and crank dampener on.

Also, be careful not to drop bolts during reassembly. Otherwise you may be magnet fishing and eventually taking a whole bunch of stuff apart to get it. Ask me how I know.

 

[2001LC]

We do not use the "T" above cams when setting timing with crank sprocket to cams. The "T's" are use when lower plastic cover is on, and hard marks for crank can not be seen.

Test by turning the crank 720 degrees CW. Bring crank to TDC Mark and both cams should be dead on Marks.

See marks and more tips:

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