Timing pulley on backwards, non-Porsche

[kach22i]

Car: 1990 Geo Tracker, with Suzuki 1.6L L4 engine (4 cyl).

When a shop replaced my timing belt eight years ago (80,000 Preventive Maintenance) they put the lower pulley with the timing marks on backwards. The reference plate above now obsures reading the marks. I figure that there must be only one way to put it on.

However putting it on backwards means the strobe light must be under the car looking up at the bottom edge, right?

I can use the advance dial to get it to 8 degrees at idle, 800 rpm.

Does this sound right?

I've reset the timing by the seat of my pants, can spin the wheels between shifts and it runs cooler by 10%. At idle I don't even feel the car running - it's much smoother than before.

I don't want to raise the engine or pull the radiator to put the pulley on correctly.

Leave it as is?

The work was done 30,000 miles ago (8-years), I don't drive much, been walking to work for 14 years, that's about 3,000 miles a year.

I tow my hovercraft with the Tracker, puts some strain on it, pedal to the metal just to keep up with traffic typicaly.

Wisdom please..........all shops suck!!!!

[Hugh R]

If it works, leave it.

[Oh Haha]

I agree with Hugh.
When we talked by phone earlier, you hadn't tested it on the highway yet. I see that it runs cooler so I would just leave it be. Spend the money on your 911, George.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by Oh Haha
I agree with Hugh.
When we talked by phone earlier, you hadn't tested it on the highway yet. I see that it runs cooler so I would just leave it be. Spend the money on your 911, George.

Talking to you helped Wayne; I set the idle speed down to 1,100 from the 1,300, big difference in the relaxed feel area.

I expect to see an improvement in gas mileage, if it's no worse or slightly better I'll feel more confident.

Towing will be the real test, will do that as soon as possible while I still feel like tinkering with this issue.

The 911 will definitely get her valves adjusted first, one must have priorities in life.

[kach22i]

UPDATE:

I was able to clearly see the pulley tick marks and all the white-out I put on the pulley from the underside of the car looking up.

However it did not improve the timing, was worse.

So I went back to the seat of the pants method (marked setting with Sharpie marker) and got another 2% or so temperature decrease.

So now you all know what to do when some jackass puts your timing pulley on backwards.