Important timing question?

Question

I was replacing my timing belt and the camshaft slightly turned counter clockwise without the belt on. I have the correct marks on the cam and crankshaft. My question is can i just turn it back where it was? Will I damage it. The timing between the cam and crankshaft were set before I move the camshaft. Is there a way to check the timing before I put the belt on?

Answer 1

On the camshaft pulley and the crank pulley, there are marks that line up with either marks on the engine or, in the case of Hondas/Acuras, the cam pulley marks align with each other. Make sure your alignment marks are aligned and the timing belt will go on "perfectly", with little or no slack between the cam pulley(s) and the crank pulley. You can, in most cases, turn the cam pulley any direction without damage to get the alignment correct, but not always the same with the crank, so as long as it has not moved a lot, you will have no problem aligning the timing marks and putting the belt on. GOOD JOB!! Not many people tackle this project.

Answer 2

it should be fine. Next time when you do the timing buy the tool that holds the camshafts still

Answer 3

Just turn it to where it should be, don't force it when or if it stops suddenly. It will not hurt anything if you turn it in opposite direction to line it back up.