Hey Scotty, I have a 1994 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6, 2-wheel. I had to change the alternator and battery and I took out the distributer and when putting back the distributer after installing the alternator, I did not align the distributer and cranked the engine about 2 times until I realized I didn’t align the distributer. I made sure the fuel lines were all correct and aligned the distributer and crank it again. After that I had a mechanic come out and he manually reset the timing belt to 0 and had me crank it and it did not start. How do I know if my engine is toast or not? If it is, is it better to replace the engine or get it remachined? Also any good places in Cali that you know of that are good shops that I can trust to remachine it right?
The problem is you didn't have the engine at TDC when you pulled the distributor. You have to get the engine to TDC and then insert the distributor properly so the rotor rolls counter clockwise to line up with the number one spark plug wire on the cap. Then you start the engine and set the timing to specification.
You'll probably have to pull the valve cover to make sure your at TDC. As you rotate the engine (19mm socket) clockwise, look at the number 1 camshaft lobes. When you can feel a little play in the rocker arms and the mark on the pulley is on Zero, you are there. You'll be on the base of the cam lobe.