Timing Belt Marks Vs sprocket marks

[PFFlier]

Hi guy!

I've read thru many of the timing belt threads and had a question that I didn't see addressed. On my 91 VG30E when I put on the new timing belt so all the belt marks line up with the 3 sprockets and their corresponding marks on the engine, then turn in clockwise by hand, the marks never seem to line up again between the belt and the sprockets. Every two times the crank revolves to where it lines up with it's mark by the oil pan, the cam sprockets line up with the marks behind them on the rear cover. But no matter how many times I turn it over the belt marks don't line up. Eventually it gets close, but is off one tooth on all sprockets. Do it a bunch more times and it is off 2 teeth, etc. etc. I notice when I took the old belt off the belt lines didn't line up with the sprocket marks by a few teeth. Are these marks only for initial line up and not meant to line up after rotating engine? I repeat, the marks on all sprockets continue to line up with the fixed marks on the rear cover and oil pan on every 2nd crank revolution.

 

I just want to get this right before proceeding.

 

Thanks.

[Precise1]

Are these marks only for initial line up and not meant to line up after rotating engine?

Yes, exactly. Actually, they will line up again after some unknown number of revolutions but more than you want to do by hand.

 

Don't feel bad, that confused me a bit at first as well.

 

B

[PFFlier]

Yes, exactly. Actually, they will line up again after some unknown number of revolutions but more than you want to do by hand.

 

Don't feel bad, that confused me a bit at first as well.

 

B

 

Thanks. In the factory procedure they tell you to turn the idler pully full CW and tighten, install belt, hold idler plully steady w/allen wrench while loosening bolt, then turn tentioner 70 to 80 degrees CW and tighten nut. How do you turn it 70-80 degrees CW if you've held it steady when it was already fully CW? If I assume they mean to let it go tight against belt, then turn 70-80 degrees CW it is still back to almos full CW (8:00 or so). Then they sey to turn it CW 2+ times, then apply 22 lbs. pressure to belt between the tentioner and cam, loosen tensioner whiile holding steady with allen wrench, insert 0.0138 inch feeler gauge etc. It sounds like a bunch of balony and the 70 to 80 degree thing sounds wrong. Any opinions?