Broken Distributor

TOYOMAN26

MEMBER
1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
3.0L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
2,674,564 MILES

My distributor is broken at the lower bottom plate I need to reset the timing, but the mark on the cam shaft balancer sets wont line up top dead center. It stops just before the first mark like it is hanging on something. I do not know what this is is there anybody who can answer this question?

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TOYOMAN26

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2 POSTS

And does anybody know what could be the problem?

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Wednesday, June 29th, 2016 AT 12:04 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

I am not sure what you are doing but it sounds like you are rotating the camshaft and a valve is opening and hitting a piston that is sitting at top dead center. Some of my sources say this is an interference engine and some do not say one way or the other, so I am not sure, but if it is, turn the crankshaft backward about 1/8 revolution so no piston is at TDC, then put the camshaft at TDC. Once that is done, you should be able to bring the crank back to TDC and put the timing belt on.

You wont damage a valve as long as you only rotate things by hand and without any excessive pressure. When you are done and it appears everything is in time, rotate the crankshaft two complete revolutions by hand to insure it spins freely. Be sure the timing marks are still correct. If you are off by a tooth, it is because the tensioner took up the slack in the belt when you rotated the crank.