97 SR Timing Belt Issues

[uncle]

I'm in the middle of swapping the timing belt/water pump on my new to me Montero. This has fought me the whole way and I have the stitches in my hand to prove it.
While trying to take the crank pulley off, the timing sprocket was seized to it and I could not get them apart. I turned the enging to align the cam timing marks and had to cut the belt off. (In hind sight I could have removed the tensioner pulley but I was frustrated.
I changed out the water pump with not much trouble and moved back to the belt.
I got the pulley off and got the sprocket separated with the proper application of a hammer. I took the crank sensor off to retrieve the wheel and re-attach it to the sprocket. And got it re-installed.

Now....Here's my question in all this;
I can't find a good image of the timing marks for the crankshaft sprocket.

Is the mark the small notch in the crank position flange? And if so, does it line up with the casting boss just next to the crank position sensor?

I downloaded the 96 manual but this section doesn't help much.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[jaccox23]

The backing plate to the sprocket has a notch in it and then if you look at like 1 o'clock to the sprocket on the block there is a small bump might even be painted (mine is yellow). the notch and the bump line up to put the crank in time I just looked through my photos to see if I had a pic of it but sadly I do not. Hope this helps and good luck with reassembly

 

[jaccox23]

Also if you have a '97 the '96 manual will do you no good. The '97 shares a body with the '96 but shares the motor with the 98-00 gen 2.5's. 96 is DOHC and you have the SOHC

 

[uncle]

This did help, thank you.

I got the belt on, ran it back and forth with a breakerbar to verify all the marks lined up and started putting the covers back on.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have it running again.

I think I'll wait for it to cool off outside before doing the valve covers and spark plugs.

Brian

 

[RyanY]

Rotate the engine through several revolutions before you put everything back on, just to make absolutely sure the marks are correctly aligned.

 

[PacS14]

The FSM for the 98-99 indicates rotating the engine a few times and then rotating back if I remember correctly to ensure the belt was aligned correctly. I followed those instructions and my Monty was good to go, it should be the same for you, follow the manual and you will be good to go.

 

[uncle]

It's back together and running:wings:
I did rotate it through and it all lined back up.

I was very concerned as when I removed the crank pully, the bottom sprocket was seized to the pulley and the Impulse wheel came off the sprocket. I was very relieved to hear it fire off for the first time.

I noticed a drip coming from the oil line, I guess I need new coppers before I button it up.

Thanks for all the help.

Brian