Mike87

Ok I think I'm screwed and I'm panicking a little, I have an automatic 1987 na. I ordered all the parts from curtesy parts to do the timing belt job, but when trying to remove the large bolt from the crank pulleys, the crank sprocket jumped a few teeth on the old belt. I was checking tdc and the timing is now off. How do I remove that big bolt without air tools, and correct the timing. I appreciate any help. Thanks.

hoov100

A dirty method of doing this, is to take the upper timing covers off. Set the cams so that all of the valves are closed and cut the timing belt, then take a wrench with a breaker bar and put it on the bolt and wedge the breaker bar on the ground. Then hit the starter. If you do it right it will do either of these four things. Break the bolt loose, break the bolt off, break the socket or break the ratchet. I've had to use this method a couple times.

Mike87

Wouldn't cranking the engine with the timing off muck up my engine?

AZ-ZBum

DO NOT DO THAT! IT'S STUPID AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS!

Idiots who like to throw wrenches through the hoods of their cars do that sort of ****.

Take off the starter and wedge a screwdriver in the flywheel.

hoov100

That's why you only BUMP the starter. Only idiots who can't practice common sense throw wrenches through the hood of their cars.


And to the OP, cut the timing belt, then turn the cams carefully until all of the valves are closed and then you should be able to turn the motor over without fear of bending a valve.

Mike87

I was going to try the starter and screwdriver method, but was having a bit of trouble getting it off, I'm gonna take a look at the fsm/Haynes and take another try. I don't know if I missed a bolt or if it's kinda hard to pull off.

AZ-ZBum

There are two bolts holding in the starter. That's it.

1. Make sure battery is disconnected.
2. I've never unhooked anything from the starter. Just rested it on the cross member there.

Hoov: For more advanced mechanics, I wouldn't have a problem with your method. But realize who you're dealing with on these boards MOST of the time.

Mike87

Thanks for the help. I got the starter off yesterday, and with a buddies help, got the the crank bolt off. I finished removing everything else, and I'm down to the belt. How do I properly realign the timing. Do I just re align the timing marks with the belt off?

hoov100

get the cam marks lined up as best as you can, take off or cut the belt. Then with a socket on a ratchet, slowly turn the cams until they are lined up with the marks, the slowly turn the crank by hand until the marks line up on the crank.

AZ-ZBum

And when you finally slap on the belt, ignore the marks on the timing cover and oil pump and use the marks on the gears.

Mike87

I tried this this morning and while adjusting the LH cam it jumped to the right a lot. Someone told me I had to take off the plenum and rocker cover and loosen the rocker springs to fix this. Is that accurate? I just want to make sure I have correct info before I go too deep.

AZ-ZBum

That's the right side cam. It's the right side of the car, it's the right side of the engine.

That's pretty good advice, but a bit excessive. Don't worry about it. That cam actually balances right there at TDC. Just make sure you turn the cam back the way it came when you go to install the belt.

Mike87

Do you guys know the torque specs for the rocker bolts?

Edit*
It's the rocker shaft on here correct?
http://www.z31.com/repairs/data.txt
13-16 lbs

AZ-ZBum

Haynes manual and factory service manuals both have those numbers.