I need timing mark settings for1998 acura 2.3 cl

Same happened to me. Economic way to ensure its at tdc is to remove #1 plug, using a thin dowel rod mark the distance it travels inside spark plug hole. Turn crankshaft slightly until you can measure the #1 piston is at its highest position. You'll be at tdc.

crank keyway @ 12

Curtis: The Acura TL had two different engines in it. Neither used timing chains.
Settings for the timing belts are as follows: this is on the 2.5 liter.
Before you pull it apart, break the front crank pulley bolt loose.
Line up the white mark on the pulley with the pointer on lower cover.
Berfore you pull the crank pulley, break the cam bolt loose.
Recheck the crank pulley marks with pointer. Remove the obvious to gain access to the timing covers.
NOTE, if you look at the cam gear will have the word "up" should be on the up side. There should be notches cut on opposite sides of the gear which should line up perfectly with the timing cover... You should have a timing belt tensioner still in place before, when you do your initial check.
After you remove the crank pulley and the timing cover, the woodruff key should be at 12:00 PM
You will also see if you look closer, at the gear. a punch mark, above the woodruff kny. There is an arroe cast into the block. This assures you that you have maintained alignment.

On the 3.2 V-6 same scenario. Remove all the **** surrounding your access to the timing covers and belt. After getting the front crank bolt loose, realign the timing marks to bring it to TDC (Woodruff key @ 12:00 PM) In changing the timing belt on this engine, remove the belt tensioner and you should be able to install the belt without removing the gears.
The right (passengers side) cam gear has a notch cut in the outside edge of the gear. There should be an alignment mark just behind it if you have it set fairly close.The drivers side should be the same.On both engines, make sure when you install the belt, the drivers side is ligned up perfectly and the belt is tight between the left side of the sprocket and the crank gear. Run the belt over to the other cam, making sure the cam is still ligned up. the belt without the tensioner will be real sloppy. Get a small clamp you can place to hold the belt in place on the right cam until you have the tensioner in place.
In checking on both of these engines, they are not intereference fit motors, in short, they are not prone to bending valves. Good luck.

You will need the manual to see where the timing marks are.The timing marks should have been aligned before you removed the old belt.In short,how to do it is find #1 cyl tdc,both valves closed,look at the camshafts and there will be 2 marks one is marked "E",the othe"I"These 2 marks vary on each engine and its a must to have the correct setting which is only in the manual.With the crank set at TDC,both cams aligned ,then reset your belt.Dont forget to allow for the tensioner when you release the tension as the cams will turn slightly.I would recommend getting the book as you will never get it right without it.For $20,its a good investment

take the head off bent valves thats for sure

hi from uk the camshaft cog has a small hole drillinh between the outer toothed and central securing bolt at TDC number 1 cyl this hole must be at top of cog 12-oclock position ? at this point if you use a mirror and view through this drilled hole you will see a V cut in cyl head at this point cam is TDC number 1 cyl firing assume you have crankshaft lined up already ? if you need to rotate the camshaft to align marks ? turn crank back a fw degrees then you will be able to rotate cam without valve contact with pistons then reset crank marks up make sure belt is fitted from crank in anticlockwise rotation hope this helps ?

Yes,need to make sure crank is at TDC as well

You need to find the timing marks on both crank and cam pulleys, set it, then take of the belt ane dont let any pulley move! Put on new belt and set the tension of the belt.

you will need to rull the timing cover off if belt has not spun or broke remove belt and install new one if belt has spun or broke you will need to line up timing marks on cams and crank and install belt

There is timing marks on the cam sprockets and on the crank pulley just line these up. Place your timing belt on and your good. you can stop by a local vectra dealer for a diagram of the marks and where they go.