Trouble finding timing w/ mechanical tensioner setup

[JRSC EP3]

Howdy! I picked up a 98 V70 GLT w/ the mechanical tensioner timing setup from a guy that had torn the entire head apart in an attempt to replace it. In the process of doing so, he removed all of the timing components and the cam gears from the camshafts. I've had the entire head remachined & revalved and replaced the timing components, but cannot for the life of me get the timing correct. When I turn the crank by hand, I can feel a valve making contact with a piston. I've searched and searched all of the Volvo forums but all write-ups/threads on timing belt jobs are for hydraulic setups. I also noticed that my timing top cover is different from all those pictured:

Mine:


What everyone else posts up:

Is my top cover damaged and missing the marks I'm supposed to line the tiny hash marks on the cam gears with or is that how my top cover is supposed to look? This is driving me bonkers! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Juan62]

Looks okay,
Remember this: think of a clock as a view of measurements.
Looking at your pics: Exhaust Cam=12, 7, 5 o'clock
Intake Cam=10, 2, 6 o'clock
At the very bottom of Harmonic Balancer or Crankshaft Pulley (teeth) a metal hash mark on the oil pump and in between (teeth) of the harmonic or crankshaft pulley MUST also be lined-up. When All three positions are aligned, you are okay. Make sure the CAMs do NOT move when removing and re-installing T Belt.

[jersey240]

Regarding the timing cover: Do you have the -70 series Haynes? Page 2A-6 shows the two different types of timing covers. The picture everyone else posts is the older type, which was also used for the 850. I can't tell for sure if you have the newer type, but someone else should be able to help. Here's an ultra-high quality shot... but at least you can get an idea if it's what you have:

Photo 72.jpg (87.69 KiB) Viewed 1353 times

Just found another image:
http://www.justanswer.com/uploads/SamC/ ... otming.GIF
Evidently the newer timing cover is for variable valve timing.

One note - I also have a '98 with the mechanical tensioner, and it has the old 850-type cover. So maybe you do have the older cover, and it's broken like you suggested.

I'm having a hard time making out the timing marks on your cams, but I think someone way more experienced will have better input on that part. Not sure if it's relevant, but every picture I've seen of the cams has the bolts oriented the opposite of how yours look. The exhaust bolts usually look like a triangle pointing up, the intake like one pointing down.

[JRSC EP3]

Hey guys, thanks for the informative replies! Especially to jersey240 for posting up the pic and links, those really helped me out figuring things out. So the problem was the timing cover had been damaged. When removed, I could see how it had been snapped off a bit unevenly. I picked up a new cover from the junkyard and now the car runs great! Thank you all again

[jersey240]

You're welcome - glad to help! I was wondering if the cover was broken, it's cool to hear how everything got resolved. Great to hear you got it running again.