I have a feeling your suspicions are correct. I pulled the cover off and cranked it a new more times and noticed its slightly off.

Color me simple minded, but have you tried pulling the belt off of the crank and re-zeroing the crank? Before making drastic time-consuming steps, that's probably what I'd try. The jumped sprocket theory seems most likely to me. The dizzy and cam timing marks line up correctly, right? Getting the belt on correctly can sometimes take a couple of tries (in my experience, anyway).

Just my .02

Brendan can chime in if I'm wrong, but I think that's about how mine lined up when we replaced all that stuff. Mine's running really well. I was thinking it was just a tiny bit off like yours. We did make several attempts at getting the belt on, so perhaps he got it perfect and I didn't notice. Hope you getter figured out soon man. I know the pain of a non-running truck.

That looks ok to me. Remember, the crank makes 2 revolutions to one for the camshaft and it appears that the relationship is correct. If you turn the crank to the mark, the cams look like they would be dead on.

If you turn it a few revolutions and it doesn't change, then the problem is with the pulley/damper assembly.

Frank

I wouldn't see how the dampener assembley would go bad when it ran fine before removing the water pump <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> He doesn't have much money to buy alot of stuff, and my mom is losing patience with it sitting here <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

I turned it a good 6 times and each time it came up dead on. the rotor is not dead on though, its slanted more than what Franks picture is showing.

My post sounds silly since he posted those pics at the EXACT same time as I posted. Had I seen those pictures, I wouldn't have said that. Back to my hole, I go... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

It wouldn't affect anything, so long as it quit slipping - or just slipped occasionally. All the serpentine pulley does is turn the accessories - but it also contains the TDC timing mark.... so if the pulley had not slipped when the timing was last set, the ignition and valve timing would still be fine - even though the serpentine belt pulley had slipped on the hub. The problem arises when you try to set the ignition timing AFTER the pulley has slipped on the hub.

If you want to try a shadetree fix, align the sprockets exactly on TDC and don't touch the crankshaft. Install the timing belt cover and the crankshaft pulley assembly, but barely tighten it so the crankshaft doesn't move. Put a spot of white paint on the serpentine pulley where it aligns with the "0" mark on the plastic timing gauge. Now you can finish tightening the crankshaft pulley assembly (and hope the pulley doesn't slip on the hub). If the pulley didn't slip and the crankshaft didn't move (you should be able to tell by looking at the timing mark on the passenger side cam sprocket), you can now set the distributor. To set the ignition timing, ignore the notch in the serpentine pulley and go by the white paint mark.

I don't recommend the above method, but it might work in an emergency.... although the next mechanic might scratch his head long enough for his hair to fall out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Frank

Is the distributor fully seated? Even if it isn't, as long as the rotor is pointed approximately at the middle of the firewall, it should be ok. I'm trying to find out if the Montero and mini-van cams are the same because the picture of the engine I posted might have mini-van cams. If so, there could be a slight difference in rotor alignment due to cam profile differences.

Your issue has made me dig for more information on the engine I'm rebuilding for Bob. The end result will hopefully be helpful for parts swapping.

Frank

I am glad my troubles might be helping the rest of us <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> I have no idea how to reposition the rotor. I am really lost at this point <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />