2002 S80 timing belt markings.

[Wichitas80]

I'm replacing the water pump and timing belt. I have not removed the timing belt but that's the next step. I have located the timing marks on the Intake and exhaust cams and on the crankshaft. When I line up the timing marks on the two camshafts with the notches in the top of the timing cover, it looks like the timing marks on the crankshaft are off by one notch.

I put some white fingernail polish near the timing marks on the cams. Here's a photo of the exhaust side lined up with the notch on the top of the timing housing.

Here's a photo of the timing mark on the intake side lined up with the other notch.

The photo below is of the camshaft timing marks. I painted the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley with white fingernail polish. The timing mark on the engine is the protruding portion of the casting at the right edge of the photo.

It looks to me like I'm off one notch. Am I off? Do I have a problem? If so, how do I fix it?

Here's my theory: it is unlikely that the timing belt jumped one notch. The car was running fine before the water pump started leaking. The timing marks are critical, but not precise. If I put it back together lined up the way it is now, it should run like it did before.

I just don't know whether my theory holds water any better than the water pump did!

[Wichitas80]

By the way, here's my plan for keeping the cams from moving while I'm working on this project. I plan to put some small brass screws in this wood block that will fit in the grooves on the sprockets.

[Wichitas80]

Here's the same photo with the timing marks shown out of alignment.

Full page photo.pdf

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[oldironsights]

Wichitas80, it seems to me that if you find your timing "off" a tooth, then this is your opportunity to correct it.
Always rotate your engine manually in a clockwise direction to check for interference before locking everything down & closing her up.
I just replaced timing belt, tensioner, idler & water pump on my 2001 2.9 S80.
Fun job, isn't it?

[Wichitas80]

Haven't had this much fun since college changing a starter on a mustang. Pulled two wheels up on the curb so I could get under the car by laying in the gutter. Had to get it finished so I couldn't stop just because it started to rain!!!