Ok I am having trouble getting my timing set on 95 3vze. This illistration shows before crank and after. Basically the truck cranks and runs like crap. I was wondering if twisting the crank counterclockwise before lining up could have caused a problem? Notice after the engine is turned over the 2 cams still line off and the crank pulley gear is off to the right and diagnally up.

 

Could this be it? I think I found my problem. I have been lining the square part on the crank gear up instead of the mark on the base of the gear with the oil pump alignment. According to this photo there is a good 15 degrees difference. Do you guys think this is why my truck was running so sloppy? I attached a image below.

 

You line up the marks, not the square portion.

 

yeah, that would be your problem. I just did the timing belt and waterpump on my 3.0 and those pulley marks have to be aligned perfectly with the ones on the timing cover and with the ones on the belt (if you got a toyota belt)