1996 855R Head Gasket Replacement - Cam Timing

[Ganio]

So, I am just outside my comfort zone doing this, but I really don't want to pay $2000 to fix a head gasket on a car that I bought for less than $1000. I have done a lot of other things on my 850s, so most of this has been fine, up to this point.

I am at the point where I need to make sure my cam timing is right, and I have been following this guide http://www.tracystruesoaps.com/tutorials/850hg/p1.html, which I found here. I have lined up the marks on the cams, but I can't see the marking on the crank to line it up with the mark on the oil pump housing.

Crank

I can fit a 3/8" extension in to the hole behind the starter though.

You can also see that I have the marks on the cams lined up, but only one of the previous owner's two white out marks, which I am less concerned with.

Cams

Would you say that I am safe? Obviously if I'm not and I blow everything up, that is my bad and I won't be upset with free advice from all of you. I just need a little moral support

On a side note, anyone in the Kingston / Poughkeepsie area want to come over and lend some eyes and a pat on the shoulder?

[mecheng]

Your cams look good, too much crud at the crank level. Spray some cleaner down there to remove the crud

[Ozark Lee]

Where are you in the process? Have you already replaced the head gasket or is this the preliminary?

If you have not yet had everything apart then, while it is a good practice to time the engine to the marks before teardown, it isn't really necessary since all of the cam timing will be lost anyway. Once the timing belt is off you can get a much better view of the tiny little notch in the sprocket and mark that part of the sprocket to make it easier to see when you put things back together.

...Lee

[Ganio]

This is all preliminary, I was thinking that the timing would probably be out, but all of the guides I have read instruct to line up timing before hand so it is correct when you reassemble.
Thank you though, I will have the head off tonight then.