Hello Everyone,

The water pump in my 3000GT (1997, SOHC) had a leak, therefore I decided to change it myself, after I found out how much the dealership was going to charge me.
I have done the Timing change (belts, water pump, pulley, etc), on my 1995 Stealth (DOHC), but it's been almost 6 years, and I used the shop manual to guide me through the installation process.

I thought I could remember the timing marks, but I'm not sure about it.

My question is, does the TDC mark need to be adjusted only on the Crank pulley or does the cam gear sprocket also need to be adjusted.

Here's what I see (BTW, the gear positions are left in the position when the car was turned off):

On the Crank Pulley:
On the gear there is the dimple with the white color, which is lined up with a small half circle on the cover (point at 1:00).

Does anyone have the workshop manual page, that they could provide. I have orderd the CD, but it will take several days for it to get here, and I really wanted to work on it this weekend.

I would appreciate any feedback you can offer.

Thanks in advance for your time.

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking.

The motor needs to be TDC before you take the timing belt off.

I meant to say I just need the page for workshop manual that explains how to set the timing marks.

I will also provide some pictures of the current state of the pulley, as well as the cam gears.

I did not mark the position on the old belt, when I removed it.. (Yes, I know exactly what your thinking)...

I guess what I am asking is, if I have already removed the belt, how and where do I set the timing mark to TDC?

Is the crank pulley the only thing that needs to be rotated to be set to TDC or will the cam gear need to be rotated as well.

Sorry If I don't have a full understanding of exactly how the overall timing/pistons operate, and I probably shouldn't have taken on this project.. but unfortunetly money is real tight right now, and I can't afford to spend almost $900 on this.

If I don't figure it out, I guess I will have to bring a Mechanic to the house and let him put it together.

Its ok I forgot to mark the crank the first time I did t-belt as well.

Did you mark any of it?

My advise obviously is said with a disclaimer that if you **** it up I'm sorry but theres nothing I can do.

That being said here we go.

Put the belt on make sure its tight with no slack and turn the crank by hand four times foward four times backward.

If the cams line up with the mark on the valve cover and the crank lines up with the mark on the block your golden.

I have the manual for the DOHC and have not touched a SOHC so I'm not sure what the torque specs are for the tensioner.

Did you align the motor to TDC before you took the belt off?

I know excatly what you mean. I did mark the old belt, but I don't feel right about..


I will take the assumption that I have not marked the old belt, and go ahead and put the new the belt on, and follow your suggestion about setting the marks.

I will let you know how it turnes out.

Meanwhile if you could, please look in your manual and see if they have anything on the SOHC engine.

Again, I appreciate you taken the time and helping me out..

Nothing for the SOHC

If you marked the old belt it will at least give you a starting point. Just do not start the car until the marks on the cam gears line up with the marks on the valve cover. And the mark on the crank lines up with the mark on the block.

Remember four rotations (from the crank) forward and check and then four rotations back.

Its going to be trial and error.

Well, I have started to work on my car. I was out of town all week.

I have already installed the Water Pump, and the tensioner pulley.

My timing marks are not TDC on the cam sprocket. I have a question about the turning ... Do I need to turn it forward four full times or only 4 short turns, and then back...

First instance if the right sprocket is on TDC mark, the left Sprocket points toward 2:00... I have turned them several times, but I can't get them to be in the TDC position.

Also, does the car need to be in neutral or in gear?

I have attached some pictures..

Thanks for any input or suggestions again.

Once you have the belt on and the tensioner and everything DONE.

You go to the crank and make four full rotations. (You may want to take a sharpie and make a mark on the pulley and the block so you know what a turn is) once there check the timing marks all around. and turn back four full turns.

If all the marks are where they were before you turned the first four times your good to go.

Just make sure your belt is tight since your not 100% sure about your marks is the first place. Being off one or two teeth won't destroy your car but any more and it is a possibility.

I have also attached the manual page from the timing marks are shown.

I have also attached the manual page from the timing marks are shown.

I have also attached the manual page from the timing marks are shown.

I have attached the marks from the manual.

So the key is to mark them before I do the 4 turn, and if they line up, then I am good.

Man, sorry If I am taking your time.

dude its friday and I'm work I've got very little to do other then troll the forum. let me reread whats going on and I'll get back to you I just...

actually check your PM box I just sent you my number.

Did you take the belt off yet?

Did you put the new one on yet?

Before you took off the belt did you put your motor to Top Dead Center?

What you need to do is make sure the marks on the back of the cam pulleys are lined up with marks on the valve covers... If they are thats very very good.

Now make a mark on the crank pulley with a sharpie or a paint marker of some sort and on the block like a strike so the points are the same thats your new timing mark.

Oh yeah and wait like 20 minutes before you turn the motor by hand and then again before you actually fire it up make sure the marks stilll line up

And my mistake no need to worry about bending valves. (good ol' non interference engines)

ok, I did what you said about turning the crank pulley 4 times forward and back.
Here's what I did.

On the crank pulley I marked my start point, and noted where the timing marks were on the two cam sprockets.

I turned it four times forward, and they ended up at the same location.
I turned it four times backward, and go the same result.

I went on and installed the belt, and all the covers. I'm at the accessories belt portion of this installation.

I need to go back and re-read your message.

I could only get the right Cam Sprocket line up with TDC, the left Cam Sprocket would always end up on around 2:00 position.

Is that not correct?