timing aligment inconcistencies

[knabini]

Happy Saturday, everyone!
I aligned timing mark on cam sprocket with "housing" mark, checked flywheel at top and bottom - both timing marks on the flywheel were off - turned past reference mark. Bottom notch on flywheel was centered on right edge of mark (cut-out) on housing).
I turned crank counterclockwise by one tooth (on the cam sprocket) and.....
both flywheel marks were way off (the bottom one didn't reach reference mark by about an inch.
AND.... I returned cam timing marks into alignment, went to check on flywheel marks...
AND.....both marks didn't align again - the bottom one is now align like so: the center of notch on flywheel almost aligns with left side of cut-out on housing.

Below - pictures with first alignment on cam shaft:



below is picture of second alignment on cam shaft:


why is it happening? Is it because of loose timing belt?

[OK-944]

Sounds like a loose timing belt...especially from the degree of inconsistency noted from rotating clockwise vs. counterclockwise. I will usually notice a very slight difference here...but not as much as you have noted.

In fact, in your case, it could be a combination of a loose timing belt added to the timing belt being off by one tooth (could make sense, as a loose belt can lead to such slippage). Due to the chance of this being the case...you should check your belt tension (and timing while you're at it) asap - because you do not want your belt to slip yet another tooth!

Question: is this a new timing belt...or at an interval after changing (appx. 1K miles) where it should be re-checked? Another question: have you checked the timing alignment while the engine is warm as well as cold?

[knabini]

Yes.
what I can do for now is to re-install existing belt(s).
I recently acquired this car and and it idled (cold) at about 3000 rpms. when warm - at about 2000 rmps and very, very rough. If I'd let gas pedal go, the engine will die.
Also the other ignition parts may play a role - spark plug wires, maybe some sensors.
the distributor and rotor, and plugs are fine.
thanks for your advice!

[v2rocket_aka944]

set the crank to TDC.

then set the belts/shafts to TDC within half a tooth or so. some variation is allowed due to belt stretch, heads being machined down, cam manufacturing variance, etc.