Timing mark question

[matt]

If timing all 3 timing marks are perfect why when cover is on and take small circular cover off mark is not perfect with mark on cover?

[Chrisj CMA]

The little round cover is just an access cover to manually turn over the engine like for valve adjusting

[matt]

I get that and that's what I was doing,, I had to remove right head as I broke a bolt in head and it was easier to remove it for drilling. I have belts back on and figured since head was off do valve adjustment. Well had timing marks lined up put timing cover on removed circular piece and mark was not lined up. Just wondering if its supposed to be

[Chrisj CMA]

I get that and that's what I was doing,, I had to remove right head as I broke a bolt in head and it was easier to remove it for drilling. I have belts back on and figured since head was off do valve adjustment. Well had timing marks lined up put timing cover on removed circular piece and mark was not lined up. Just wondering if its supposed to be

Ideally one would think they should match but in the long run I don’t think it matters. You can’t use that arrow on the cover when changing belts and that arrow seems to work just fine for valve adjusting. I wouldn’t worry about it

[John Schmidt]

Those marks serve two different purposes. The marks on the belt pulleys and the marks they line up with are solely for ignition timing. The mark on the belt cover under the small center cover is used for setting the valve lash by giving an indication of when a piston is at TDC in a given cylinder. Keep in mind, you don't have ignition at TDC so it's obvious the timing marks are going to be different than the TDC mark.

[matt]

I get that answer John, kinda what I was thinking but needed second opinions

Thank you John and Jeff for taking a minute
Matt

[John Schmidt]

I get that answer John, kinda what I was thinking but needed second opinions

Thank you John and Jeff for taking a minute
Matt

Great minds wander in the same circles!