I'm getting ready to change the timing belt/water pump/front seal on the 3.4 I'm about to drop into my 89. When I line up the cams with their marks the crank marks are off by about a tooth (counterclockwise). I heard from someone that this could be normal. My question is has anyone else run into something like this?

 

This is not normal on the 3.4. Has this engine been running?
Replace the two idler bearings, the hydraulic tensioner, and the cam seals while you have it apart.

 

I've never seen it run, I bought it from a shop who claimed it ran when they pulled it. It passed a leak down...

 

There are good threads here on timing belt replacement on the 3.4.
Also, I'd get a set of valve cover gaskets and pull the covers and look underneath. Recently, another member picked up a used 3.4 that was a sludge monster under the valve covers.
Good luck.

 

I looked around, couldn't find anything specific to this issue, I replaced the valve cover seals already, the looked clean to me.

 

Good on the VC gaskets.
Align both cams and crank to the proper TDC marks when re-installing the timing belt as you will be good to go. Then, after the tensioner is released turn the crank 2x clockwise to be sure the marks on the cam and crank all come back to TDC before buttoning it up. The painted marks on the belt (if supplied) will be off a tooth or two......this in NORMAL.
It could have been a sloppy prior job, a weak tensioner, or the build up of coolant crust that caused it to skip on the crank.

 

That makes sense, it looks like the old water pump was getting ready for complete failure. There was quite a bit of coolant build up from where it was leaking. Thanks!

 

Here is the thread I mentioned earlier:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/n...review-247545/

The link in post 1 gives the details.

Remember, 217 ft-lbs torque using a new crank bolt.