EX cambelt OT sprocket mark

Preparing the 1.8 ex (8 valve) for a new cambelt, got it at tdc, crank lines up with intermediate shaft and the cam lobes are all pointing in the right directions, however My cam sprocket doesn't have the OT mark anywhere on it B in picture (I have the later plastic timing cover with OT mark). I have the mark on the engine side which matches to the top of the head A in picture can I just go with this? I've marked everything with tipex so should be all ok haven't checked the distributor yet though.

Distributor is timed bang on too, although plug leads need swapping around I think as number 1 is at 3 O'clock and not in line with the mark

Strange the marks not there. Have you given the cam a complete revolution to see if its not just gone past the timing point and out of view. (Obviously don't do this if you have already removed the cambelt!) it maybe a stamped line similar to what you see on the dizzy housing and not a dot.

Mark it up with tipex as you say if your not sure.

Yomp said

Strange the marks not there. Have you given the cam a complete revolution to see if its not just gone past the timing point and out of view. (Obviously don't do this if you have already removed the cambelt!) it maybe a stamped line similar to what you see on the dizzy housing and not a dot.

Mark it up with tipex as you say if your not sure.

 I have had a good look and haven't found it yet although the belts still on at this stage so will spin the engine round a cycle again to check my marks are correct, I've tipexed it for the time being so that I can spin it round and double check, I'm not adjusting the timing at at all the cars runs well and all is lining up literally just changing the belt so want to ensure it doesn't move

is that it?……..

Yomp said

is that it?……..

 I have that mark yeah and it lines up fine, just don't have the O/T mark on the outside of the pulley, I'm not sure why you'd need to use 2 marks anyway? Just strange that I don't appear to have it as other people guides etc have a very clear marking

may have had an earlier sprocket fitted, or the engien originally was early but has had the late plastic covers fitted. Or it may be both the cam and intermediate shaft sprockets were removed and mixed up at some point.

another possibility is the cam sprocket may have been fitted backwards, but if that happens non of the marks line up to anything. So if the inside mark lines up when the cam lobes are pointing in the right direction then all is well, just use the inside mark.

If the lack of OT mark bothers you then go shopping for a later sprocket and swap it over

rubjonny said

may have had an earlier sprocket fitted, or the engien originally was early but has had the late plastic covers fitted. Or it may be both the cam and intermediate shaft sprockets were removed and mixed up at some point.

another possibility is the cam sprocket may have been fitted backwards, but if that happens non of the marks line up to anything. So if the inside mark lines up when the cam lobes are pointing in the right direction then all is well, just use the inside mark.

If the lack of OT mark bothers you then go shopping for a later sprocket and swap it over

 It's a matching numbers original car my initial thoughts were the pulleys swapped round or backwards as it had a head gasket and other work before I owned it but then I had the correct mark inline with the head was the curveball for me I just marked the existing ones I had and a few extra for reference, worked a treat the new belts on there now timed up perfectly!

cool no worries then  

If it was me when the next timing belt swap comes up I'd put a late cam sprocket on for an easy life, if I happened to have one in stock  

rubjonny said

cool no worries then  

If it was me when the next timing belt swap comes up I'd put a late cam sprocket on for an easy life, if I happened to have one in stock  

 not a bad idea

You have a newer style of cabby, and the Cam is Marked on the Front lip, with a hash and a 0 with a slash and a 0 on the left and a t on the right mark that aligns with the plastic rear cover.. There is also a dimple on the cam gear back side that is there on the newer (over here it is a 90ish cabby) style of cam covers.  It is common error that you can put the Cam gear on Backwards. Dimple on back hash on front.

 http://www.cabby-info.com/Files/AdjustingTheTiming.pdf

Has pictures of the various marks….

When I set my 90 digifant, I use the rear cam dimple to be even with the top of the valve cover tin, and not the re-enforcement bar.  I place the Crank at 0 on the tranny. and the Dizzy rotor in the middle of the hash stamped on the side frame of the dizzy.  I never worry about the intermediate shaft at all on a gasser….Diesels are a different critter……

the cam sprocket is not on backwards, if it was neither of the marks will line up.

its as I say, late car with early sprocket fitted

Briano1234 said

You have a newer style of cabby, and the Cam is Marked on the Front lip, with a hash and a 0 with a slash and a 0 on the left and a t on the right mark that aligns with the plastic rear cover.. There is also a dimple on the cam gear back side that is there on the newer (over here it is a 90ish cabby) style of cam covers.  It is common error that you can put the Cam gear on Backwards. Dimple on back hash on front.

 http://www.cabby-info.com/Files/AdjustingTheTiming.pdf

Has pictures of the various marks….

When I set my 90 digifant, I use the rear cam dimple to be even with the top of the valve cover tin, and not the re-enforcement bar.  I place the Crank at 0 on the tranny. and the Dizzy rotor in the middle of the hash stamped on the side frame of the dizzy.  I never worry about the intermediate shaft at all on a gasser….Diesels are a different critter……

 Cheers for the info, the mark I used inline with the cam cover appeared to be more of a slash/line than a dimple, was just curious as to why I have no marking at all on the front side! I used marks similar to you and it all went okay so no dramas really

rubjonny said

the cam sprocket is not on backwards, if it was neither of the marks will line up.

its as I say, late car with early sprocket fitted

 Do you know why someone would swap to an earlier sprocket? Nothing in the history suggests towards that but then these cars have seen a bit of action over the years no doubt

Is there a G stamped on the cam shaft?
If not is there a letter stamped on the cam shaft?

plenty of things that may have happened, uprated cam went in at some point then was removed for sale, head gasket went at some point and during the process older sprocket ended up on there, sprockets removed for oil seal replacement and wrong ones refitted, or possibly its just your cam and intermediate shaft sprockets were mixed up?

mark1gls said

Is there a G stamped on the cam shaft?
If not is there a letter stamped on the cam shaft?

 Sorry I stuck the cover back on the day before this I'm sure I'll have it off again one day will have to have a look at some point

rubjonny said

plenty of things that may have happened, uprated cam went in at some point then was removed for sale, head gasket went at some point and during the process older sprocket ended up on there, sprockets removed for oil seal replacement and wrong ones refitted, or possibly its just your cam and intermediate shaft sprockets were mixed up?

 Ahh okay I know the mechanic who done the head gasket back in 2013 before I bought it I reckon the sprockets were mixed up at this point 

Out of interest  how early does an early sprocket need to be to have different marks? Are we talking solid lifter sprocket or are there 2 types for a hydro lifter.

The solid lifter sprockets have round holes whereas the hydro lifter sprockets have the egg shaped holes. Its often another quick way of telling an early dx from a later dx but its no guarantee.

Yomp said

Out of interest  how early does an early sprocket need to be to have different marks? Are we talking solid lifter sprocket or are there 2 types for a hydro lifter.

The solid lifter sprockets have round holes whereas the hydro lifter sprockets have the egg shaped holes. Its often another quick way of telling an early dx from a later dx but its no guarantee.

 That would add up correctly as mine is later hyrdo and both sprockets holes are egg shaped