How to set valve timing on the 1990 3.0 cressida

When your timing belt is broken, you won't be able to drive your car at all. Oftentimes, the timing belt will break while the car is in motion.

This can cause serious damage to cylinder head hardware like rocker arms, push rods, or valves. The timing belt can fail without any prior symptoms, so if you're within the mileage window, you should go ahead and have it replaced regardless.

That being said, sometimes your car will give you a bit of warning that the belt is wearing out. Signs that your timing belt is misaligned are very hard for the untrained person to notice.

With the engine running, you will hear a rubbing or scraping sound emanating from under the timing belt cover. You may also hear a whistling or whining type sound. Read More here >> Incorrect Timing Belt Installation Symptoms

To install:

1. Install the oil pump drive gear and tighten the 16 ft. lbs. (22 Nm).
2. Using a suitable seal installer, install a new crankshaft timing gear seal. Install the gear.
3. Temporarily install the idler pulley and tension spring.
4. If using the old belt, check the rotation direction chalk mark placed on the timing belt during disassembly.
5. Install the timing belt on the crankshaft pulley.
6. Install the lower timing belt cover, air conditioning idler pulley bracket, compressor bracket and the lower timing belt cover retaining bolts and nuts. Install the pollution system air pipe assembly.
7. Install the crankshaft pulley and pulley retaining bolt and torque to specification.
8. Turn the crankshaft pulley and align its groove with the 0 mark on the lower timing belt cover.
9. Install the camshaft timing pulleys and timing belt as follows:
   1. Turn the crankshaft pulley and align its groove with the 0 mark on the No. 1 timing belt cover. If the engine has not been disturbed, the engine should still be in this position.
   2. Align the alignment marks on the camshaft timing pulleys and the No. 2 timing belt cover. Install the timing pulley.
   3. Install the straight pin into the hole.
   4. When replacing the camshaft or the camshaft timing pulley. Always align the center holes of the camshaft and timing pulleys and insert the straight pin. When reusing the camshaft or camshaft timing pulleys, check that the straight pin hole position is in the same position it was at disassembly, insert the straight pin. Install the plate washer and pulley bolt.
   5. Using a suitable camshaft pulley holding tool, hold the pulley and tighten the pulley bolts to 36 ft. lbs. (49 Nm).
   6. Check that the matchmarks on the camshaft timing pulley are aligned with those on the No. 2 timing belt cover.
   7. Install the timing belt to the intake camshaft timing pulley, the exhaust camshaft timing pulley and the idler pulley.
   8. Loosen the idler pulley mount bolt until the pulley is moved slightly by the spring tension. Tighten the idler pulley mount bolt to 36 ft. lbs. (49 Nm).
   9. Check that the timing belt tension is equal all the way through. Turn the crankshaft pulley 2 revolutions clockwise from TDC to TDC.
   10. Check that the alignment marks on the camshaft timing pulleys are aligned with those on the No. 2 timing belt cover.
   11. If the marks do not align, remove the belt and install it again.
   12. Install the No. 3 timing cover gasket, cover and retaining bolts.
   13. Install the power steering pump belt.
   14. Install the four bolts, fan clutch, water pump pulley and fan shroud.
   15. Install the fan shroud mounting nuts.
   16. Tighten the fan belt adjusting bolt and nut of the power steering pump.
   17. Install the 4 bolts to the fluid coupling (fan clutch) flange.
10. Install the air conditioning drive belt.
11. Install the thermostat and water outlet along with it retaining bolts.
12. Install the spark plugs and spark plug wires.
13. Install the radiator assembly along with the radiator hoses.
14. Install the drive belts and adjust as necessary.
15. Install the air cleaner case assembly with the air intake connector.
16. Refill the coolant system.
17. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Connect a timing light and tachometer.
18. Start the engine and set the ignition timing. Recheck the idle speed adjustment. Check for leaks and add coolant as necessary.