More Timing Belt comments

[QSHIPQ@aol.com]

A few folks are speculating on the reasoning re: the harmonic balancer timing 
mark is off.  The reason it is off, is that it is isolated by rubber.  
Several years of torque on the balancer makes the balancer mark no longer 
accurate (heck, if you take the lower timing belt cover off, and put it back 
on, the mark moves again).  The harmonic balancer mark was a production 
install reference only, and is NOT the timing mark to use for cam/crank 
timing on a timing belt swap.  Use the timing mark on the flywheel and make 
sure rotor arm is pointing at number 1 cylinder (to confirm you are not 
180degrees out of time).  

The proper way to get TDC, is to use the flywheel <0> and the rotor at #1.  
Split the <0> directly in half with the belhousing mark.  You have as close 
to TDC you are going to get without measuring the #1 piston with a dial 
indicator (read:  TDC with the flywheel is not always dead nuts, but it's 
better than the HB method).

Bottom Line:  Don't read too much into the harmonic balancer mark.  It was 
only used for primary timing reference during car production.  

This also means that using 2084 will move the timing mark off <0> during 
loosening and tightening of the crank bolt.  Which means, make sure the belt 
is mounted on the crank AND the cam gear during loosening and tightening 
sequences.  

HTH

Scott Justusson