Bigbusa Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I just picked up a 96 outback impreza on ebay. 180k miles. It needed some work but I got a good deal on it. I put in a "master timing belt kit" that included all the idlers, seals, water pump, belts and valve cover gaskets. Used radiator and some other stuff. When I got the timing belt covers off I noticed that the marks on the current timing belt didn't line up with the marks on the cam and crank pulleys like everyone says they MUST. When installing the new belt I absolutely could not get the marks on the belt to line up with the marks on the pulleys. No matter what I did. I even turned the belt around and installed it that way but still, no go. I was able to get the marks to line up on both camshaft pulleys but the belt mark on the crank was off about 4 teeth to the left. With the belt in my hand I counted the number of teeth between each mark and it was 40.5 and 44 like it's supposed to be. I figured if I'm off by 4 teeth maybe the belt is on backwards. I switched it and still couldn't get the marks to line up. The new belt did not have directional arrows on it so I assumed that it should be installed with the writing right side up not upside down... if that makes sense to anyone. I got thinking about it and realized it really shouldn't matter how the belt is put on as long as the cam and crank pulley marks are lined up with their marks. The car runs fine with the new parts installed but I'm wondering why the marks wouldn't line up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 you are correct in that the only thing that matters is that the cam and crank marks line up. and of course that it's the right belt...which it sounds like it is. if something was off i would imagine you'd notice right away. very odd that the marks didn't line up and it had the proper tooth count. i think timing belts fit multiple applications (EJ22 and EJ18 for instance)...but maybe the marks are different between the motors? don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbusa Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 you are correct in that the only thing that matters is that the cam and crank marks line up. and of course that it's the right belt...which it sounds like it is. if something was off i would imagine you'd notice right away. very odd that the marks didn't line up and it had the proper tooth count. i think timing belts fit multiple applications (EJ22 and EJ18 for instance)...but maybe the marks are different between the motors? don't know. I'd never done a timing belt before so I used the online 4 page .pdf "endwrench" directions. It says, If the marks on the old belt are worn off, mark new lines on the old belt before removing it. That made no sense to me. The whole emphasis on the timing belt marks in general seems like a waste of time and extra worry. They should just say ... make sure all 3 pulley marks are lined up on the engine before installing timing belt. Why even have the marks on the belt? I'm annoyed because I wasted a bunch of time and effort racking my brain trying to get the marks to line up when in reality, the belt marks don't mean anything. Here's my $931 outback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostinthe202 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Nice score! I had a similar experience when I did the belt on my 2.2. the book (crapodelic Haynes p.o.s.) said to have all three marks line up with the marks on the covers, and that the cam pulley marks should be in the 12 o'clock position (or something like that, the details are a bit fuzzy now). Anyway, before I took the old belt off, I rotated and rotated and rotated, but there was just no place that the all the marks lined up to where they were supposed to be. So I got it as close as I could and just made sure the pulleys stayed where they were when I took the old belt off. I figured if it ran fine before, it should run fine after... and it did:grin: ... now if only I had had the correct water pump, I wouldn't be changing my t-belt again 20k miles later:mad: That being said, I should mention that I knew my engine is non-interference (96 or before) so if I did get it wrong, nothing bad would've happened;) Will- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wondercow2 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 The marks on the belt matter because they (should, anyway) indicate proper belt tooth counts. It's theoretically possible to stretch the belt in such a way that not enough teeth are between the timing marks on the cog pulleys. Hand-counting the teeth is always a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamal Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 The marks only line up every like 40 turns or something after it's on. Marking the old belt doesn't really matter but you do have to line up the marks on the new one. You kind of just have to wiggle things around a bit. An extra set of hands really helps hold things in place while you get things lined up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmithmmx Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 The OEM belts typically line up but its not a fact. The most important thing is the arrors on the crank and cam pully are pointing in the correct direction. Also that you have the correct tooth count between the crank and left and right cam pullys. I want to to say it's 44 1/2 on the left side and 40 on the right side. I amost made the mark mistake until I counted the teeth. COUNT THE TEETH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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