I know the ECU will throw a code if it's off by a tooth or half (can't remember) Well I just spent like 3 hours doing this POS and I finally got it as close as I could while having the correct tension. The 2 marks on the cam sprockets are about 1/4 tooth or less off. They are off far enough that you can tell that they are off but nowhere near a half tooth or anything. Does anyone think this will cause a problem? I honestly don't think I can get it any closer The little counterclockwise half a tooth thing just does not work for me. I've tried every little position all the way to a whole tooth both ways and nothing worked. I ended up doing it such a weird way that I don't even remember how I did it, lol


Cliff notes: will 1/4 tooth off timing be a problem?

You should be good to go. If you look closely at the crank gear you will see the timing mark don't line up with the tooth above it. That will throw you off a little, making it look like timing is off. Rotate the engine clockwise using the crank, you will need to rotate it twice to get the marks back where they should be. Line up the crank mark (i center the tooth) then look at the cam marks to see if they are still where they were. If they are not a full tooth off then the timing is set

ASE certified master auto technician

If the head has been milled it can cause this, but otherwise they should line up... If they can't try your best to get exhaust cam and crank in time, and if the 1/4 tooth is off just on the intake cam...well not as bad.



15.9 @ 86.7mph
97 Eclipse RS

Injen CAI, 55mm TB, P&P Intake, Crower Stage 2 Cams, Hooker Header, GS-T Muffler, AFX UDP, Crane Ign Amp, S-AFC

I did use the tooth on the crank and not the mark. It's a lot easier that way. After I rotated the crank twice the marks were the same. Still a little off but the same as I set them. So does the CEL come on at 1 tooth off or 1/2 tooth?

Not sure about the cel, never had the belt off a tooth. Does it run ok? Or have you not started it yet. Well, it won't run very good if the timing is off so you should be able to tell easily.

ASE certified master auto technician

The motor isn't even in the car. I wanted to know before I got it in there because it's a lot easier to do the timing with the motor out.