I have a 97 Impreza L, the 2.2 (SOHC) , and I'm half way through the timing belt change and this is the first time I've attempted a repair like this.
I've been using this guide as my main guide for the whole project: http://www.rs25.com/forums/f105/t154453-diy-sohc-timing-belt-change-w-pics.html. I've also pulled information from other various forums (here) and have the service manual downloaded.
I've run into the problem when aligning the passenger side camshaft to put the new belt on. I have the crank cam and the drivers side cam in the proper position.
I was using a torque wrench to rotate the cams. When I started (slowly) rotating the passenger side cam, I got about a quarter of the way around fighting compression, and once I moved past the resistance it spun all the way around by itself because of the ratcheting effect on the torque wrench and settled pretty close to where I wanted it to be for the timing marks.
The cam pulley has a little bit of play, I can rotate it about an inch left or right with no resistance and I can even line up the timing marks and put the belt where it needs to be. I didn't notice this play before, but I don't really remember checking. The pulley also seems to wiggle a little where as my driver side pulley does not.
My concern is the play in the passenger side camshaft pulley. I'm afraid there may be other problems that I don't have the knowledge to see.
When I was trying to rotate it and it took over and spun all the way around it was unnerving because of the sudden loud ratchet sound from my torque wrench. It wasn't something I was expecting or had seen anyone mention.
Can I just align everything and start putting it all back together? Is that how a camshaft is supposed to rotate?
