[V8] Timing Belt Question for the pros........

[Gunter]

I am doing a TB on '90Q for the 1st time.....not a 5 hour job.  This is a question for the pros at doing the TB:

Upon removing old TB, I lined up crank TDC proper.  Dist. rotors both pointing toward notches.  Removed distributors and attempted to secure locating flange whose pins were both sitting nicely, EXCEPT that the dist. mounting bolts could not be secured because both flanges were approx. 10 deg. off.........I moved the crank CW (facing engine) about 10 degrees and presto...........the bolts on the distributors went in.  

Does this discrepancy mean that the timing as it was originally set up was wrong?  Car was running well.  

I'm not sure what to think...........I thought that the cams had to be locked in to 0 degrees when the crank was at TDC as well   Could this car have run reasonably with such as a discrepancy?

I plan on setting up the TB so that the crank is at TIC and the flanges (3199) are sitting snug and secure using the dist. mounting bolts AND the holes provided on the flanges and dist. housing.

Great service this V8 list serve provides....................

Gunter 1990 V8 Q 140 000miles