Remove the valve cover
I have a 96 ford ranger 2.3. On the crank timing, does the mark on the plastic cover TC mean top dead center?
I have a 2000 Ranger, and on mine the lens is made of plastic. To remove it, I squeeze the lens just enough so that the tabs will snap out.
when you remove the timing cover front youll notice a plate welded on the back of the timing gears they have a diamond shape on them that's the timing marks the other is on the plastic as far as crank goes make sure its on a compression hit and get it top dead center
They are on the inner timing belt cover.
Timing belt cover
carefully pop off the plastic cover on the handle and in the center there will be a screw
they are under the timing hole cover in the top of the transmission. it is a large(27mm) Allen plastic nut remove it to see the timing marks
Disconnect the negative battery cable. Turn the crankshaft until the No. 1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke with the timing marks aligned. Remove the idler pulley and bracket assembly. Remove the drive and accessory belts. Remove the radiator and water pump Remove the crankshaft pulley and damper Remove the lower radiator hose. Remove the oil pan-to-timing cover bolts. Remove the front cover bolts and the front cover. Tap the cover lightly with a plastic mallet, if necessary, to break it loose.
A flat head screw driver to pop off the plastic cover, and a star screw driver to remove the whole thing.
Standing in the front of the engine. Look at the left rear valve cover, And on the fire wall just above the valve cover is a long black plastic cover that has 3 plastic nuts holding it in place. Remove the cover and The timing connector that you unplug will be behind the cover are in the big wiring harness that comes out of it. The wires will be inside of the black plastic loom that's around all the wires.
remove timing cover
the timing mark is on the pullie itself its a small notch .... to get to your timing belt you have to remove the belts, motor mount, and the pullies, then remove the plastic cover then you can access your timing belt .... it looks worse than it really it