So I just did a cam install, and I had my cam marks line up with my valve cover once, then many rotations later I have not gotten them to line up like that. They get close, but both marks on the cam gears are just slightly away from the valve cover marks. Is this OK? Or is my timing messed up? Belt was not moved and no teath were jumped, just the marks don't line up. Not sure if this is OK or not. I did start it once, had to give it gas and it idled for about 30 seconds then died. Obviously I know it won't run correctly without a tune but I didn't think it would turn off.

 

in for the answer

 

Need a little more information. How far off is 'slightly away from the marks'?

Every time I've done the timing on my evo the indicators will be about a milometer or two off of the marks because of belt tension. But if you're off by the length of one tooth then you've got a problem.

Have you check to see if the other gears are on the marks? Crankshaft, balance shaft, oil pump?

 

This is how they currently are:
https://gyazo.com/0127052c459382048ba4fb1556badd97
So by what you said I'm assuming I have to fix this?

 

Im no expert but that looks way off to me

 

Yeah, the intake sprocket is off by two teeth. I don't know how far you need to be off to start bending valves but that's definitely a problem as it is.

Did you check the other sprockets below as well?

 

I have to take off the serpentine belt to do that correct? I redid the cams and the marks line up correctly now even through many rotations. Is it possible that the timing could still be off though? I really don't want to take off the serpentine belt for this but I guess it's better than buying a new motor.

 

Yes its possible, check the timing on your other sprockets

 

The place the belt is most likely to jump is at the crank. On several occasions, when adjusting the belt tension, I heard "bonk" and looked over to find the belt at the crank had jumped a tooth. If the cam and crank marks are on then all is good.

 

And to check the crank I need to take off the serpentine belt, and a few other things right?

 

Yeah, you'd be diving deeper than the serpentine belt: engine side cover, serpentine belt tensioner, water pump pulley, serpentine belt idler, upper timing cover, crank bolt and pulley, motor mount and lower timing belt cover. Download the FSM and read the timing belt section if wanting to do this.

 

So I think I fixed it, does this look good?

 

Yes it does! A novel way of removing the timing cover too.

 

Yeah haha I was trying to cheat taking off everything and it snapped. It still bolts on and seals enough so eh oh well

 

Looks right now. Usually what throws it off is messing up the crank sprocket. Yu need to turn crank back 1/2 tooth and as you adjust the pulley,the crank lines up to the mark