I AM TRYING TO SET THE TIMING BELT ON A 1984 FORD, 231. THE CAMSHAFT HAS THREE MARKS ON THE BACKING COVER BELOW. IS IT THE MIDDLE MARK?

You have attempted a very difficult task without a service manual! First of all, there are precise timing marks on each cogged gear that have to STAY on those marks. There are tensioners that will keep the belt on those marks as you tense them up. Please do not start the engine unless the marks are perfectly aligned or you will surely damage the engine!!! Get the service manual, if you do not have it already!!!

Rotate the engine so that No. 1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke. Check that the timing marks are aligned on the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys. An access plug is provided in the cam belt cover so that the camshaft timing can be checked without removal of the cover or any other parts. Set the crankshaft to TDC by aligning the timing mark on the crank pulley with the TDC mark on the belt cover. Look through the access hole in the belt cover to make sure that the timing mark on the cam drive sprocket is lined up with the pointer on the inner belt cover.

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Hi, the crankshaft marks are on the belt pulley and timing cover, so you have to mate it up to see them. The cam sprocket mark goes on the bottom, and aligns with another mark on the timing cover. There is a plug you pull out and hole to look thru to align the cam sprocket/shaft.








Rotate the engine so that No. 1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke. Check that the timing marks are aligned on the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys. An access plug is provided in the cam belt cover so that the camshaft timing can be checked without removal of the cover or any other parts. Set the crankshaft to TDC by aligning the timing mark on the crank pulley with the TDC mark on the belt cover. Look through the access hole in the belt cover to make sure that the timing mark on the cam drive sprocket is lined up with the pointer on the inner belt cover.

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Crankshaft, camshaft, and distributor timing marks-2300 cc engine (© Ford Motor Co.)

On 2000 cc engines, turn the crankshaft until the two round locating holes in the camshaft pulley are visible from the rear side of the pulley, looking forward from the left-side of the car. When these two holes are parallel to the ground, the timing pointer on the crankshaft pulley should point to TDC. If the drive belt is dislocated, the crankshaft damper will be retarded or advanced 19° per cog on the belt.

If the engine you are working on does not have the two locating holes on the rear side of the camshaft pulley, then you will have to remove the drive belt cover and observe that when the crankshaft timing marks are aligned to TDC of the compression stroke of the No. 1 cylinder, the distributor rotor is pointing to the index mark on the upper lip of the distributor housing which coincides with No. 1 spark plug tower, and the pointer on the camshaft pulley is aligned with the index mark on the cylinder head.

On 2300 cc engines, there is an access plug provided in the cam drive belt cover so that the camshaft timing can be checked without removing the drive belt cover. Remove the access plug, turn the crankshaft until the timing mark on the crankshaft damper indicates TDC, and observe that the timing mark on the camshaft drive sprocket is aligned with the pointer on the inner belt cover. Also, the rotor of the distributor must align with the No. 1 cylinder firing position.

CAUTION:

After any procedure requiring removal of the rocker arms on the 2300, each lash adjuster must be fully collapsed after assembly, then released. This must be done before the camshaft is turned.

Crankshaft, camshaft, and distributor timing marks-2300 cc engine (© Ford Motor Co.)

Crankshaft, camshaft, and distributor timing marks-2300 cc engine (© Ford Motor Co.)

Checking 2000 cc overhead camshaft timing (© Ford Motor Co)

The IGNITION timing on your Ranger is computer-controlled and is not adjustable.


Should the camshaft drive belt/timing belt jump timing by a tooth or two, the engine could still run; but very poorly. To visually check for correct timing of the crankshaft, auxiliary shaft, and the camshaft follow this procedure:
There is an access plug provided in the cam drive belt cover so that the camshaft timing cam be checked without moving the drive belt cover.

1. Remove the access plug.
2. Turn the crankshaft until the timing marks on the crankshaft indicate TDC.
3. Make sure that the timing mark on the camshaft drive sprocket is aligned with the pointer on the inner belt cover.

Never turn the crankshaft of any of the overhead cam engines in the opposite direction of normal rotation. Backward rotation of the crankshaft may cause the timing belt to slip and alter the timing.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

See Figures 1, 2 and 3

Fig. Fig. 1: Timing belt cover on the 2.3L and 2.5L engine

Fig. Fig. 2: Timing belt assembly on the 2.3L and 2.5L engine

Fig. Fig. 3: Releasing the timing belt tensioner using a special tool

1. Rotate the engine so that No. 1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke. Check that the timing marks are aligned on the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys. An access plug is provided in the cam belt cover so that the camshaft timing can be checked without removal of the cover or any other parts. Set the crankshaft to TDC by aligning the timing mark on the crank pulley with the TDC mark on the belt cover. Look through the access hole in the belt cover to make sure that the timing mark on the cam drive sprocket is lined up with the pointer on the inner belt cover.

Always turn the engine in the normal direction of rotation. Backward rotation may cause the timing belt to jump time, due to the arrangement of the belt tensioner.

1. Drain cooling system. Remove the upper radiator hose as necessary. Remove the fan blade and water pump pulley bolts.

I found a 2.0L VW engine for a Cabrio. Not sure if this is the right one, but here goes:

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

NOTE: Do not turn the engine or camshaft with the timing belt
removed. The pistons will contact the valves and cause internal engine damage.

Gasoline Engines






Fig. 1: Adjusting the belt tension on a 2.0L 8 valve








Fig. 2: Remove the timing belt cover








Fig. 3: Align the timing marks








Fig. 4: Locate the tensioner








Fig. 5: Loosen the tensioner bolt








Fig. 6: Mark the belts direction of rotation

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the accessory drive belts,
   crankshaft pulley and the timing belt cover(s).
   
2. Temporarily reinstall the crankshaft pulley bolt and turn the crankshaft to
   TDC of No. 1 piston. The mark on the camshaft sprocket should be aligned with
   the mark on the inner timing belt cover or the edge of the cylinder head.
   
3. With the distributor cap removed, the rotor should be pointing toward the
   No. 1 mark on the rim of the distributor housing. On 8 valve engines, the notch
   on the crankshaft pulley should align with the dot on the intermediate shaft
   sprocket.
   
4. Loosen the locknut on the tensioner pulley and turn the tensioner
   counterclockwise to relieve the tension on the timing belt.
   
5. Slide the timing belt from the sprockets.
   To install:
   
   
6. Check the alignment of the timing marks. On 16 valve engines, the mark on
   the tooth should align with the mark on the rear belt cover.
   
7. Install the new timing belt and tension the belt so it can be twisted 90°at
   the middle of it's longest section, between the camshaft and intermediate
   sprockets.
   
8. Recheck the alignment of the timing marks and, if correct, turn the engine 2
   full revolutions to return to TDC of No. 1 piston. Recheck belt tension and
   timing marks. Readjust as required. Torque the tensioner nut to 33 ft. lbs. (45
   Nm).
   
9. Install the belt cover and accessory drive belts.
   
10. If the belt is too tight, there will be a growling noise that rises and
    falls with engine speed.

Diesel Engines

Some special tools are required. A flat bar, VW tool no. 2065A, is used to
secure the camshaft in position. A pin, VW tool no. 2064, is used to fix the
pump position while the timing belt is removed. The camshaft and pump work
against spring pressure and will move out of position when the timing belt is
removed. It is not difficult to find substitutes but do not remove the timing
belt without these tools.
NOTE: Do not turn the engine or camshaft with the timing belt
removed. The pistons will contact the valves and cause internal engine damage.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the accessory drive belts,
   crankshaft pulley and the timing belt cover(s). Remove the camshaft cover and
   rubber plug at the back end of the camshaft.
   
2. Temporarily reinstall the crankshaft pulley bolt and turn the crankshaft to
   TDC of No. 1 piston. The mark on the camshaft sprocket should be aligned with
   the mark on the inner timing belt cover or the edge of the cylinder head.
   
3. With the engine at TDC, insert the bar into the slot at the back of the
   camshaft. The bar rests on the cylinder head to will hold the camshaft in
   position.
   
4. Insert the pin into the injection pump drive sprocket to hold the pump in
   position.
   
5. Loosen the locknut on the tensioner pulley and turn the tensioner
   counterclockwise to relieve the tension on the timing belt. Slide the timing
   belt from the sprockets.
   To install:
   
   
6. Install the new timing belt and adjust the tension so the belt can be
   twisted 45 degrees at a point between the camshaft and pump sprockets. Torque
   the tensioner nut to 33 ft. (45 Nm).
   
7. Remove the holding tools.
   
8. Turn the engine 2 full revolutions to return to TDC of No. 1 piston. Recheck
   belt tension and timing mark alignment, readjust as required.
   
9. Install the belt cover and accessory drive belts.
   
10. If the belt is too tight, there will be a growling noise that rises and
    falls with engine speed.

CAMSHAFT TIMING INSPECTION

1. Locate and carefully remove the access plug from the upper portion of the timing cover. WARNING
   When turning the engine over by hand, ALWAYS rotate the crankshaft in the proper direction of rotation, otherwise the timing belt might jump one or more teeth due to the configuration of the belt tensioner.
   
2. Turn the engine CLOCKWISE (in the normal direction of rotation) to set the engine at Top Dead Center (TDC) of the No. 1 cylinder by aligning the O mark on the belt cover with the O mark on the crankshaft pulley. NOTE: If no timing mark is visible through the access cover when the O marks on the crank pulley and cover are aligned, the engine may be on No. 1 exhaust stroke and not the compression stroke (the camshaft is 180°away from No. 1 TDC). If so, the crankshaft must be rotated one full turn to bring the No. 1 piston back to the top and the camshaft around to close the No. 1 intake and exhaust valves.
   
3. With the O marks aligned, look through the access hole in the cover to confirm that the timing mark on the camshaft sprocket aligns with the pointer on the inner belt cover. If the belt timing is incorrect, the timing cover and belt must be removed for further inspection, possible replacement and correct installation. For more details, please refer to Section 3 of this manual.
4. If timing is correct, re-install the access plug.

set the timing mark on the crankshaft to the mark on the oil pump, then set the timing mark on the camshaft to the mark on the alternator bracket/set second camshaft mark to mark on the inner timing belt cover. line up all mark as decribed. be sure before u set anything to bring #1 piston all the way up to top. with belt on turn crankshaft 2 full turns to bring #1 piston back to top if the cams are not lined up correctly loosen belt and start over again until everything lines up correctly. you may have to do this a few times but it will work.

Belt covers need to be on. Timing mark on crankshaft (while on compression stroke) should line up with TDC mark on cover. then Camshaft mark, needs to line up by looking through access hole of cover, and align mark on cam sprocket with pointer on inside of belt cover.

Ford Escort/Tracer 1991-1999 Repair Guide

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 1.8L Engine
(see Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4)

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the timing belt covers.
3. Rotate the crankshaft and align the timing marks located on the camshaft pulleys and the seal plate.
4. Remove the crankshaft pulley and hub.
5. If the timing belt is to be reused, mark an arrow on the belt to indicate its rotational direction to enable correct re-installation.
6. Loosen the timing belt tensioner lockbolt and remove the timing belt.

To install:

1. Temporarily secure the timing belt tensioner in the far left position with the spring fully extended, then tighten the lockbolt.
2. Make sure the timing marks on the timing belt pulley (crankshaft sprocket) and the engine block (oil pump housing) are aligned.
3. Make sure the timing marks on the camshaft pulleys and the seal plate are aligned.
4. Install the timing belt.
5. Loosen the tensioner lockbolt. Using a suitable prying tool, position the timing belt tensioner so the timing belt is taut, then tighten the tensioner lockbolt.
6. Turn the crankshaft two turns clockwise and align the timing belt pulley mark with the mark on the engine block.

Fig. 1: Timing marks are located on the camshaft pulleys as shown-1.8L engines



Fig. 2: Make sure that the crankshaft sprocket (timing belt pulley) and oil pump timing marks are aligned-1.8L engines



Fig. 3: Align the timing belt pulley mark with the tension set mark, at approximately the 10 o'clock position-1.8L engines


Fig. 4: Check the timing belt deflection at the location shown-1.8L engines

1. Make sure the camshaft pulley marks are aligned with the seal plate marks.

If the timing marks are not aligned, remove the belt and repeat the procedure.


I hope help you with this; remember rated this help. Good luck.