Brava 1.8 16v timing belt........Help!!!

[Dougie]

Hi guy's, need some advice here.I have a Brava 1.8 16v a 1995.The crank seal started to leak, so i thought no problem, done this job on loads of cars.So i stripped it down, replaced the seal, then attempted to fit the timing belt.Both cams in correct position, as is the crank.Tensioned the belt as per instructions in the Haynes.Rotated the engine twice by hand, the cams are in perfect position, but the crank is out by 2-3mm, not quite a full tooth out! tried again and again, but can't get it all to line up!I started the engine as i thought 2-3mm will not make a huge difference, maybe make it a bit rough running.Well it certainly did, plus it sounds like a bag of spanners horrendous noise!! seems like the pistons are hitting every valve in turn. Not enough to bend them i think, as it still runs on all four.
Is there a way i can fix this without any special tools? cash is a bit tight at the moment, so a garage is not an option. any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[wayne]

the only way u should time this engine mate is by using cam locks from a main dealer and a verveir for piston hight....u can take the rocker cover off and then make sure no 4 cam lobes arejust about to push down the cam buckets ..lobes faceing inwards...take no1 plug out a long screw driver down the hole turn engine over slowly untill csrew driver comes up and just as it starts to go down your timing should be about write..good luck

 

[LightWarrior]

and you are running your engine like this? aaaagh

 

[BlackBravo]

jus out of interst how much is the cam locker?
Pete

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Wayne, I'll give it a go
cheers
Dougie