So I started this project this morning. 93 SC300 5 Speed with 133K. Got the front apart and have a question.

Before I pulled the timing belt off, I lined everything up to TDC. I noticed that the cam gear on the right (drivers side) is one tooth forward (clockwise) of the mark on the cover. The left hand gear is dead on.

The belt looks like it is in good shape .. it may have been replaced. Is it possible that when it was changed the cam gear was pushed forward? Is it possible that the belt slipped at some point?

Should I leave it as is or line the gear back up with the marks? The car runs as smooth as glass ... so I am not sure what the implications of the cam being one tooth out of time is. Isn't that the purpose of the aftermarket adjustable cam gears?

Gotta love the crank bolt. Tried the start bump method .. just tore up the cheap Kobalt socket I used. Ordered a 6 point 22mm Snap-On impact socket and will try it again when that gets here.

Any ideas on the cam gears?

Thanks.

 

line it back up man. it should be all lined up.