Rep Power: 254

I know how to do timing belts since I have done a few in the past. But my question is, what if you have the timing messed up on the car and you dont have the belt on. What is the easiest way to be sure that your timing is correct? I just took off the belt and the timing seems to be completely off. Is there a method on spining the camshaft and crankshaft to line them up again?

 
Rep Power: 228

Pull the spark plugs out and the crank pulley should turn pretty easily with a socket wrench and you should be able to turn the cam pulley by hand.

 
Rep Power: 254

so once I line those marks up it should be fine? It doesnt matter where they were previously as long as they line up? I always thought it did?

 
Rep Power: 228

Are you saying that the timing belt snapped or slipped while you were driving and now you are replacing the belt? If so, reinstall the new belt with the cam and crank synched at TDC1 and then compression test the cylinders to check for possible engine damage.

 
Rep Power: 254

No the belt did not break, however the car wouldnt start after I was done..like an idiot I didnt check the marks to see if the lined up with the belt on. Now I want to know how I can reset the timing with the belt completely off the car. Basically how can I be sure my cam and crank shafts are where they are supposed to be before I put the belt on and try to start it.. and possibly bend valves.

 
Rep Power: 228

What year Civic and what engine do you have?

 
Rep Power: 254

Its not a civic haha, but it should be the same for any interference motor. Its a 1997 Mitsubishi Galant.

 
Rep Power: 228

If it were a Civic, I'd post a diagram showing TDC1 positions for the cam and crank. In these cases, there are Honda specific TDC1 marks to ensure proper alignment. I don't have a similar diagram for your Galant. Post your question on Mitsubishi forum.

 
Rep Power: 254

Mistsubishi forums are usually dead and I just figure I would ask here. You think as long as I line up my marks everything should be fine though? I should rotate it in the direction the motor spins correct? I know where the marks are on this car, just not sure if I am allowed to move them to the marks by hand, or will that throw my timing off?

 
Rep Power: 228

Definitely move the cam and crank by hand to position at TDC1. For Civics, after the belt is installed, you rotate the crank in the direction that the engine moves 5-6X, and then recheck that both the cam and crank are still synched at TDC1. Then you tension the belt. Not sure if the procedure is the same for the Galant. Have you searched the Galant forum for the relevant Galant service manual? If you look around, you can usually find a free manual download.

 
Rep Power: 254

I was just not sure if I was allowed to turn the sprockets by hand, thats all I wanted to know. Thanks

Normally my marks never get messed up so I never move the sprockets by hand.

 
Rep Power: 812

yeah you can turn it by hand, in fact you really NEED to at least a few rotations to make sure the marks keep lining up. cant just assume its okay, start motor, then a few seconds later find out the marks were off a bit and you need new valves. you can take the cam gear and crank pulley off, but that really wont do anything. just turn the motor but im not sure which way for the mitsu. honda is CCW (counterclockwise). prolly the same but make sure.