GroovyCuvy

I have a 97 ES300 1MZ-fe. 380k miles and going strong. Just pulled the engine and swapped out the tranny. Since I had it out, and on an engine stand, I figured I would install new valve stem seals. The timing belt has less than 10k on it so I let it stay. I lined up the crank and 2 cams with their alignment marks. Turned on the compressor and went to town. Put it all back together and she will not fire. Just the occasional pop. I can hear there is a timing issue. Now, The left (front) cams are 1 dot to 1 dot with the cam pulley on the timing mark. The right (rear) head cam is 2 dots to 1 dot with the cam pulley on the alignment mark. I am pretty sure this is how i disassembled the head. Am I missing something? I have read all of the docs google has to offer and I am missing something. Probably pretty simple. The manuals say to ling 2 dots to 2 dots. O.k, what next? The timing pulley is not even close. Should I then rotate the cam pulley to the timing mark and go with it? I would appreciate some help, thanks.

LeX2K

Not 2 dots to 2 dots? I can't tell for sure from the service manual.

GroovyCuvy

Thanks for the reply.
I broke down and did the 2 dots to 2 dots alignment. Then I rotated the pulley back to the timing mark. It is now 1 dot to 1 dot, but, the timing marks on the pulley now line up. I put it back together and promptly ripped the wires from toe O2 sensor connector, engine side. Not enough wire to determine which wire goes where... Have to look for a donor car and go back at it next weekend... Not sure how something so simple got so difficult...lol I will keep updating.