Hello all

So I have put the new timing belt on and it is about a tooth off up top on both cams but TDC on the crankshaft which is strange because everything was lined up when I initially put the belt on. Will this fly or do I have to take it apart and reset the belt?

 

That looks to me like one whole tooth off (there's no way to get off by "1/2 tooth," so I don't worry unless it's off far enough).

So, yes, if both cams are off with the crank at TDC (or with both cams on the mark, the crank is off), you have to take it apart and try again (even though you can fix it at either one place (the crank) or two places (the cams), fixing at the cams is much easier.)

But before you do that, do spin the crank two turns to make sure you don't have excess slack or something. If you get the same picture at two turns, you know what you need to do.

Last, it is POSSIBLE that annular rubber part of the harmonic balancer has failed, so the outer edge of the harmonic balancer (with the timing mark) has moved. Usually, it will move more than just "one tooth," but who knows? If you're concerned about that, you can pull the #1 plug, drop in a plastic straw, and rock the crank to be sure you know where TDC is. (Why a plastic straw? if you use a screwdriver and slip, you can scar the heck out of the piston and plug hole.)

 

That sucks, yes it's off a tooth. Follow the above advice, but you're going to have to pull it off and try again. Take your time, it'll be a lot easier the second time :-) You can do it!