Cam timing mark off at top dead center

Hi everyone,

Got a question about my timing belt. How easy is it for these things to slip. I can't imagine that it would be easy at all considering the importance of keeping the crankshaft and camshaft synced.

I've been working on the engine for about three weeks now (novice with a six pack). Had to replace the head. Now I'm trying to get the timing right and today I thought I had it, but it wouldn't start up.

I found #1 TDC by removing the spark plug and felt for the piston with the dipstick. The timing mark # on the cam pully was way off, almost half way to the next number.

I'm guessing a new belt is in order. My question is will that solve the problem or is there another factor at play?

The belt came with the rebuilt engine I got about four years ago, maybe 50 - 60,000 miles. The first time I pulled the timing cover off I could see that the belt was riding too close to the back plate and it even looked like it had dug into the metal in one spot.

Also, how does the tensioner work? I can't get a torque wrench in there to set it right but it doesn't seem to matter anyway. At any tension the belt will move all the way back to the plate.

I've taken the Lord's name in vain seven hundred thousand times this week. Please help.

Thanks, CW

The Lord himself wouldnt work on a Bseries truck.Thats why he allows 700,001 uses of his name in vain to Bseries owners.Careful,u have only one violation left.Lol.Mazda recommends a new timing belt every 60,000 miles so I would say u need one.The other thing to check is be sure the key in the snout of the crankshaft hasnt wallowed out and is causing ur timing to change.Grab the crank pulley and see if it has any play in it.If so,u may need to replace the key .BJ

of course the timing belt should be changed but first, get the crank back at top dead center. then move the cam gear back to the number one mark. the tensioner has a spring that holds it tight. attach the spring then just tighten the bolt down.

Might also think about replacing the tensioner while u have the front end down.Save a lot of time and heartache later on.BJ

ok for your timmming belt there is a little trick you have to do to tighten it you get you crankshaft at tdc and you get your cam on the a mark and befor you put your belt on you wanna take your camshaft and set it a tooth back so if your looking at the motor you turn i t back a tooth towards the battery then you put your belt on and then with your belt on you wanna set the cam back to a wat this does is it gets all the slack off the side of the belt that doesnt have the tensionor on it alsoo very important there are 2 sizes for belts for these trucks and they are i dentical but the with is a few 16ths bigger soo if you get a new belt make sure its the same size other wise it will slip ..