What are the implications of the oil pump sprocket timing mark being off, thusly:

 

The front balance shaft will be out of time. I'm not certain but if it's bad enough it may interfere wit the crankshaft.

 

Crank it by hand a couple more times. IIRC, the oil pump/b-shaft rotates on like a 6:1 ratio with the crank. So go around 5 more times, stopping at TDC each and check all marks again. It's bound to line up on one of them with everything else at TDC also.

If it was not in time with the crank, you'd know it. You would have some serious vibrations and strange noises going on, especially at 3000+ RPM and it would get worse with revs. If you haven't had the timing belt off, it's probably just not lined up like I said above. The marks are for TDCing everything to put the t-belt on.

Here's a little trick I learned on my DSMs way back in the day. I can't see why it wouldn't be the same for Evos having same block (reversed) and same rotation direction. With the timing belt off, rock the oil pump pulley back and forth a little (obviously not all the way around), then let go. If it moves towards the timing mark on the case when you let go, it's correct (counterweight facing down). If it moves away from the timing mark, spin the oil pump pulley a full turn a do it again...it should be correct then.

I haven't had my timing belt off on the Evo for any reason, so I can't confirm the Evo 4G63 is the same, but I see no reason at all the oil pump/b-shaft would be any different. The 110% sure way to do it though, would be to pull the plug on the front of the block and stick a screwdriver in there with the b-shaft at TDC. If it holds the b-shaft in place (will not rotate), it's correct. Of course, only see if it's locked into position with the t-belt off or you WILL skip a couple of teeth on it

 

you beat me to this. i mentioned this on another post. very well explained.

 

Thanks WHTEVO I haven't wrenched on my Evo nearly as much as any of my DSMs, but occasionally I'll see a topic and something will come back like a bolt of lightning...hehe.

 

Thanks for the idea and explanation - will check if it lines up with more cranks.

 

It's actually 3-1 ratio. It should line up one in every three rotations of the crank. You can also pull a plug out of the front of the block to make sure the counterweight is in the downward position.

 

ez--
No problem!

cruizin--
Thanks for the correction...it's been a LONG while since I checked what that ratio was...

 

I just had one off last week. They did cams on this evo and didn't take the lower timing covers off. When they put it back together it was vibrating like crazy. When I pulled the lower covers off the marks were still on so I was like WTF??? I guess by weird coincidence It was on one of the rotations were the mark was off by 4-5 teeth and when they loosened the belt it fell on the mark. Weird sh-t.