Read thru most of the posts here, the factory service manual, and other forums to replace the head gasket on my 1991 V6 4Runner.

took apart with pics, machined heads, valve job, new gaskets everywhere, reassembled.

Timing looked good. I never removed the belt completely from the crank pully. I did nthe crank back and forth while cleaning the cylinders and pistons while exposed. I always made sure the timing belt moved with it. I assembled right on my paint marks on the cam gears with the gears facing up to their marks also.

I just tried to crank, but will not start. I started with compression test as outlined by the FSM, and noticed all cylinders are not holding compression?

What could be the problem? My first instinct was intake/exhaust valves are reversed meaning timing is 180 out? Is that possible if I kept the belt on the crank and realigned the cams the same as when taken apart?

I am taking a break to accept that I will most likely have to take apart again.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

I'd suggest taking it apart. Most likely the crank did move and now the cam timing is off.

 

If I was to walk up to an engine with no timing belt, how would I start installing one? If I read correctly:

1. Set cam gears to point up to reference marks
2. Set crank to top dead center "0"
3. Install belt

Shouldn't that make it all correct?

 

that sound right

 

crank at tdc with cyl 1 at top

 

It turns out the compression meter I bought was bad! It had a stuck valve!

After taking everything apart and working on it all day, I figured it out. Put it BACK together and timed it the best I could with open headers in place. I plan on getting custom exhaust put on in the next couple of days using stock manifolds and a crossover that goes under the tranny.

It sounds better than my 1968 Chevelle SS!!!! Here is a video..

http://s447.photobucket.com/albums/q...t=IMG_0191.flv