i stuffed up changing the Cam belt!!! HELP!

[GoLfMan]

i didnt align the engine to TDC before ripping off the cam belt, am i stuffed? how do i recover from this before putting on the new cam belt and hoping the engine doesnt go boom.
ANY HELP APPRECIATED!

[Valver.]

That's a big oops - how did you manage that ?!

Just stick some chop sticks or skewers down the spark plug holes and figure out where the pistons are. You can also remove the valve cover and splash tray and figure out which valves are open, and how far.

The compression is low enough to offer you a fair bit of lee-way, so don't stress too much - just turn things over gently.

One you've figured the position of everything - and double checked it - you can get #1 at TDC and align the other pulleys from there. Easy

[Valver.]

Oh yeah, and remember most cam belts are directional and you're at the right point of tension with 90deg twist at the middle of the belt on an 8v

[GoLfMan]

That's a big oops - how did you manage that ?!

Just stick some chop sticks or skewers down the spark plug holes and figure out where the pistons are. You can also remove the valve cover and splash tray and figure out which valves are open, and how far.

The compression is low enough to offer you a fair bit of lee-way, so don't stress too much - just turn things over gently.

One you've figured the position of everything - and double checked it - you can get #1 at TDC and align the other pulleys from there. Easy

cos i didnt RTFM but we learn from our mistakes rite

i've got the intermediate shaft lined up, the valves in the right position (cylinder 1's valves are both closed) now i just have to figure out where the pistons are. i may employ some help to double check however

TDC is piston 1 at the top of the compression stroke isnt it?!

[h100vw]

The 8 valve can be an awkward one because of the intermediate shaft but there is a notch in the distributor body and with everything lined up the rotor arm should be pointing to the notch.

You can get the crank to TDC by temporarily sticking the bottom cover back on and the bottom pulley and lining up the notch with the mark.

There is also a spot on the cam pulley which IIRC goes level with the top of the cylinder head, the gasket face for the cam cover.

Gavin

[Peter Jones]

Look for the dots on the pulleys.

The crankshaft and intermediate shaft dots should come as close together as possible.

The dot on the camshaft pulley lines up with the top front edge of the head (The gasket sealing surface).

Take the cap off the dissy. There is a mark on the top edge of the distributor body that indicates firing posn for no1 cylinder. The rotor should be pointing roughly at it if everything is OK.

Use something down the spark plug hole to find TDC.

The mark on the flywheel should also be visible if you've got it right. (Unless some tool has put your flywheel upside down like mine!)

Take your time and think about it!

Pete

[GoLfMan]

Look for the dots on the pulleys.

The crankshaft and intermediate shaft dots should come as close together as possible.

The dot on the camshaft pulley lines up with the top front edge of the head (The gasket sealing surface).

Take the cap off the dissy. There is a mark on the top edge of the distributor body that indicates firing posn for no1 cylinder. The rotor should be pointing roughly at it if everything is OK.

Use something down the spark plug hole to find TDC.

The mark on the flywheel should also be visible if you've got it right. (Unless some tool has put your flywheel upside down like mine!)

Take your time and think about it!

Pete

can i ask a massive favour of you Pete?!
can you come and help me do this? there may be a 6 pack of your fav beer in it