Hello again guys.. Just to refresh your memories, I have a 92 Montero with the 3 liter engine. I've got both heads on, intake manifold, and now I'm ready to install the new timing belt. As you may know, I replaced the headgaskets. So, I sent the heads out to be checked. I chased the deck holes, made sure all the bolts were ok, in length, put them in the right places, and torqued them correctly. Now, my question is this. Since the heads have been off and checked out, they aren't in the same position as when they were taken off. I aligned the crank to its mark on the oil pump, which is TDC, and aligned the cam sprockets to their perspective marks on the alternator bracket, (passenger side), and timing cover backplate, (drivers side). What I am worried about is this: Since the heads have been removed, and spun, how do I reset them to the correct position in relation to Intake/Exhaust stroke? Or does putting them on thier marks correctly, all I have to worry about? Somehow I don't think I'm that lucky. Never done one of these, and I don't want all this work down the drain. Thanks in advance....


Bobby <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

it's pretty simple, just put the crank in TDC (the mark in the oil pump) and the cam sprokets on their mark as you said, then put the belt, release the tensioner. Check the 3 marks, then turn the crank twice clockwise and recheck marks. that's all...

Where in NY are you? If you're anywhere near narrowsburg, NY I can swing by and show you.

Correct, line them up and your good to go. After you get the tension set on the belt rotate the engine around a few times buy hand and check again that the marks all line up.

Have you installed the distributor yet?

Yes I have installed the distributor. It does line up with No. 1. Although there really isn't much play with it to line up. It seems to have to be turned all the way towards the firewall to be absolutely correct. I'm going to try to reposition it in the head tomorrow. Any ideas?

Bobby..and I am in Staten Island guys...if you would like to talk on the phone, just send a PM and I'll be more then happy to leave my number or call you...

If the dist. is pointing to #1 on the outside of the cap, it is wrong, if you look inside the cap you will see how the metal connector things run to a different spot.

There are 2 marks to line up on the dist gear and shaft. After you get the timing lined up, insert the dist. The gear will turn slightly as it goes in.

Dont worry, if you have the timing off when you turn the engine over, your valves will not hit the pistons.

To get the cam sprocket lined up, you need a 17mm i think, and turn ever so slowly to get the mark to line up. It will want to spring back so watch your hands. But if you go very slow, it will hold the mark.

Not hard to do, but might take some practice. If you have any more problems, post up.

I've found that it's easiest to put the belt on the crank sprocket first, then around the idler, then around the p-side sprocket (the one that's poised on top of a cam lobe, just waiting to bite you), then put the 17mm on the d-side sprocket bolt to "adjust it slightly to get the belt teeth to engage the grooves on the sprocket. This is backwards from the FSM, but I find that when I do the spin three times thing after install and initial tensioning. I have gotten it right on the first try once, in about 10 head jobs.