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2.3 liter valve timing

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wmlaks

Regular Contributor
I am trying to fix a lack of power problem I am haveing with a 2.3 liter ford engine. I know that this engine will run but be under powered if the cam is off one tooth on the belt. when I pulled the plug in the timing cover there were three marks on the Cam pointer. I am assuming that the Cam should line up with the center mark. Does anyone know for sure which mark the Cam should line up with? Thanks in advance. Michael
 
Remove the plastic access plug on the timing belt cover. It is not necessary to remove the timing cover to check the cam timing.

Rotate the crankshaft CW until the timing pointer is lined up with the TDC "0" mark on the crankshaft pulley. The upper cam sprocket has a mark on it that will line up with a mark on the cylinder head if the camshaft is properly timed.

If the cam sprocket mark is not visible in the access hole, rotate the crankshaft CW one more turn and line TDC up with the crank timing pointer. If the cam sprocket mark does not line up with the mark visible in the access hole, the engine is not timed properly.

If the timing is off, buy a new belt and install it or have it installed. It is critical to have the correct belt tension, also.

Download the OMC I/O manual (PDF format). It has complete instructions for changing and timing a 2.3L.
 
Whem I remove the plastic access plug there are three marks on the head which of the three marks should the cam line up with
 
I don't recall there being three marks, but it's the one at about five o'clock. Download the manual from the link. It only shows one mark. Decide from that.
 
I have looked at the manuel and it only shows the one mark. My engine has three marks right beside each other. the marks are one tooth apart from each other.
 
I looked at my 2.3 and there are three marks, and one cast-in mark on the cam sprocket. Rotating the crank pulley CW a couple of turns, the mark on the pulley was lined up with TDC (0).

The mark on the cam sprocket lined up with the middle mark.
 
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