How to align the cam marks to install the timing belt on 1994 6-cylinder sohc?

Answer 1

The answer below refers to DOHC, the timing marks are different on SOHC. Seen from the front of the car looking backwards, the right cam (left side of car)has a notch on the cam which you position at approx "1 o'clock) lining it up with a line on an adjacent plate in that area. The left cam (right side of car) has a notch which you should similarly align with a plate at approx 2 o'clock. You do this with the crankshaft sprocket aligned with a mark on the oil pump at 3 o'clock. The timing belt goes on with the cam- and crankshafts at those positions. The belt itself goes first around the crankshaft, then the idler bearing, then the right cam, then the water pump, then the left cam, then the timing belt tensioner. Hold the belt on these pulleys with paper clips (big fat ones that hold a stack of paper). Tension the tensioner. In this process the cams may have turned a bit off their marks, so go back and do it again until they align with their marks right. Then remove the clips and turn the engine and see that all is well. Note: I assume in the above that you will have the approx alignment correct before removing the old timing belt. The tensioner has a certain clearance (approx 0.2 inches) which must be set up right. That's the clearance between the lower pushrod part and the lever arm.