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Discussion starter · #21 ·
I used channel locks to hold the VCT gear as we put the timing belt on... Everything look ok.

I rotated it a couple times and it all seemed fine. Yet when I went to start it I got nothing.

It simply will not start. I guess the timing is off, or is this a sign more damage is done?

I heard a couple slight pops when I first tried to start it, this seems like the timing id off from past experience with a honda.

I'm really not sure what to do with the VCT thing.

I'm gonna try again, this time I'm going to take the VCT plug out where the oil falls out.

Is there no pdf somewhere that will help me understand this better?

So I let the oil drain out and then what?
 
Discussion starter · #22 ·
I put the belt back on without applying tension to the intake gear because I read that it's supposed to be in rest position.

I did not loosen the intake or exhaust cam bolts, I was hoping it would be ok in the same position it came with.

I managed to get the car started like this after several trys. However it was running like junk, almost like on only three cylinders.

My neighbor who is a mechanic said it sounds like the valves are bent (i was telling him about this all prior).

However I read that when the valves are bent it sounds like a bucket of bolts. It doesn't really sound like that at all, it just sounds like one cylinder ain't firing.

What do you guys think?
 
Its a pain to get it set totally right... I've timed mine 6 times now and still get code p1381 for over advanced... its barely out but its enough that it throws a code yet drives exactly how it did before...when I did mine I did it without the Ford tools I made a cam bar out of 3/16" flat bar and there is a mark on the crank serp belt pulley that lines up to a spot on the block according to the Haynes manual... I'm at the point of loosening my cam gears and just tweaking it a hair to retard it... I know tom recommends not loosening but it seems I don't have a choice now... hopefully I helped somewhat unfortunately mine isn't running right yet so I can't even give exact instructions for what worked for me
 
from reading this you are completly lost i would take it somewhere and have it fixed so you dont cause damage ( if its not already done )
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
I'm pulling the head this weekend. It's not going to a mechanic.

I'm not exactly worried about avoiding the check engine light just yet.

Since no ones saying, I've gotta assume the valves are already bent. It won't start hardly and when it did it idles like its on only a couple cylinders.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.797616,-79.220254
 
I didn't read everything above, but if nobody mentioned it, a good preliminary test to check for valve problems is a leakdown test. My thinking is if you bent valves, they won't be seated properly and it would be apparent in that test.
 
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