I just changed the timing belt in my 92 SC400 and after I put everything together, the car wouldn't start. The engine just kept on turning over without firing up. I double checked all the electrical connectors and made sure they were plugged in and secure. Ruling out that, the only thing I suspect is the timing. I followed the procedure in the Lexus workshop manual, but there is only one thing I am not 100% sure about....

Which marks on the cam gears do you use to set the timing? The manual isn't really clear about this. Is it the groove or the nipple that is directly opposite it on the gear?

The pic shows the groove and nipple (circled) and the arrow points to the mark I think you are supposed to line it up with.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

 

i dont know but i get my water pump in a week so i guess ill let you know then =)

 

No worries. I figured it out. The markers in the pics I posted aren't the ones used for the timing. There is actually a very, very, little 'vee' on the cam gear that is supposed to line up with the mark on the back plate.

I finally got the timing correctly. In retrospect, there are several markers that help you align the camshaft with the crankshaft. It's a shame I didn't notice them before....

There is a mark on the bracket where the distributor cap bolts on to...the rotor lines up with this mark.
There's one on the backplate of the camshaft...the little 'vee' on the camshaft lines up with this.
And of course, the mark on the crankshaft

In any event, the car is back together and running fine.

Latahs.

 

does the water pump require removal of the timing belt? i dont think it does; thought it was just the accessory belt

 

Its sounds like is he doing his 60K or 120K service, water pump & timing belt.