Tiagz

So I had all the marks lined up perfect, as well as with additional marks I made on the old belt and transferred to the new one through taping the belts side by side with masking tape, everything was perfect.

Then I installed the harmonic balancer but did not Torque it to 181ft lbs as that requires a helper as I block the flexplate with a chisel and they use the tq wrench. I rotated the balancer twice to verify the lines still matched up. They did not.


Is this because I did not torque that bolt and it was tightening while I turned the motor over by hand? that's my assumption but just wan't to get some one who's done the timing belt before's opinion.


Thanks for input


I did re use the tensioner but it appeared to be working fine.

randal

The HB torque is not going to affect your timing because you have a keyed crankshaft. However, the belt markings will NOT be aligned after two (or more) revs of the crank. This is normal. You should disregard the belt markings and check the permanent cam/crank timing marks stamped on the parts. These marks should be right on the money every two revs.
You did pull the pin on the tensioner before rotating, correct?

Tiagz

yup pulled the pin (small wood nail in my case) before rotating.

So I should just verify that the marks on the cam sprockets align with the white marks on the plastic piece under all the spark plug wires etc. At this point I think I need to back track a couple steps and place the marks again to have the correct starting point.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. The LEXLS guide is very useful but semi vague

randal

At this point, you should be looking only at the marks on the sprockets and engine brackets (I think they are metal, not plastic). As long as these align along with the 0 TDC on the crank, you are good. The cam marks are shown in pic #28 of the LEXLS tut.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Listen to randal he knows what he is talking about.

Tiagz

I totally understand it now.


On MOST or nearly ALL engines the crankshaft spins twice for each rotation of the camshafts to allow for the intake and exhaust valves to work during their respective stroke.


its a simple 2:1 of the Harmonic Balancer : Cam Sprockets. The belt markings become irrelevant as the belt obviously has a lot more teeth on it and doesn't fall in that ratio.


Rule of the story? Don't do complicated engine work hungover.


End result: My marks were lined up perfectly. Going to put everything back together to a point currently waiting on Power steering high pressure line and new rotors and coolant temperature sensor that snapped in half with corrosion when I pulled it out. ( hoping that cures the random drop in rpm at idle I could see corrosion on the inside of the sensor where it snapped and was reading it is the main control sensor for the ecu)

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

See it all makes sense.

Tiagz

Except the fact everything was bagged and tagged and now I am missing two bolts for the fan bracket. Ugh. I know there is a ls400 with the bolts I need at pick n pull because I already took the Drive belt Tensioner pulley and an idler pulley to replace the squeekers I found when I started the timing belt.

randal

All four-stroke engines work that way. Four strokes(intake, compression, power and exhaust) happen over two revolutions of the crank. One rev of the crank for intake and compression...another rev for power and exhaust...and the whole thing repeats. Your cams, however, rotate once for the complete four cycles. Glad the 'light' went on! Sounds like your timing is fine.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I know what you mean. I bagged EVERYTHING and had to look for a nut for the clutch. I came out the next day and found it on the floor right where I was working.

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

I just wanted to make sure you did not rotate the engine backwards with your "back tracking."
This can be a great way of skipping/slipping a tooth on the belt or a few and kissing your engine goodbye.
Rather, I hope you pulled everything apart and basically redid the timing belt to confirm your marks.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

glad you got it sorted but so you reused the hydraulic tensioner AND got used tensioner/idler pulleys from the junk yard?! i would have replaced those parts as they are prone to failure! they are relatively cheap too!

randal

1000% agree!