Valve Timing is Advanced

[launieg]

Well, I managed to change the timing belt today. First time for me. It had the usuall challenges. I used the torque wrench and a flex joint and 12 inch extension through the grill to loosen the crank pulley nut. Had to, because of the "inner" timing belt cover. And I discarded that inner cover. It actually seemed to have trapped dirt in there anyway. Struggled to move the tensioner pulley (replaced it) against the spring (nothing to lever against). Thanks to all of you. I could never have done it without reading through all the threads on timing belt replacement. This forum is invaluable.

However, I was surprised to see that when the camshafts are lined up with the marks, that the crankshaft was at about 10 degrees advanced, according to the timing marks. I am guessing that at the last belt change, it was moved back a bit. Anyway, it had been running really good before, and so I kept it the same. Camshafts are in sync, but both in effect advanced by about 10 degrees, maybe 12.

I realize that the ignition timing should be about 10 degrees advanced, but this is a different situation.

So what is the effect of this on engine performance and durability. I'm trying to understand what might be happening with valves opening and closing a bit early. Can someone tell me? I am certainly happy with performance at the moment.

Thanks in advance. (By the way, my water pump is a bit noisy, so I'll replace it soon, and I could move the crankshaft back to the zero mark at that time.)

[So Cal Mark]

it's typical that the marks don't line up exactly, unless it's a tooth off there isn't anything you can do without putting adjustable cam gears on. If you watch the t belt or cam gears with a timing light while the engine is running you will see lots of fluctuation.

[launieg]

It is more than a tooth off. It is probably two or three teeth advanced. When the camshafts are on their marks, the crankshaft is at the ten degrees advance mark, rather than at zero. But it runs well - just like it did before. Should I turn the crankshaft forward a couple of teeth (relative to the camshafts), or perhaps I should check with a dowel for actual TDC before jumping to conclusions? Or does it matter? Thanks Mark.

[So Cal Mark]

one tooth is more than 10 degrees. There is a line on the crank sprocket that should match up with a casting on the seal retainer to indicate top dead center. Your car would have serious perf issues if the cam timing was 3 teeth off

[launieg]

Okay, I'll have to check out if it is at TDC. Thanks. (It does run nice though, with good power, so I'm thinking it is set right but somehow showing up wrong on the timing marks.)

[racydave]

If the tension of the belt is to tight, It can make the pulley sound like a bad water pump.