Is it safe to release the timing belt on a 1998 WRX EJ20 while the crank is not at it's timing mark?
With the old timing belt still on, the top right hand side (facing the car) inlet cam slipped clockwise while the crank stayed at it's timing mark when trying to undo the crank bolt again after aligning everything at it's timing marks. I was using a socket on the cam for leverage as I'd already undone the crank bolt before so didn't think it would take much leverage. Anyway the cam skipped forward and the crank stayed put.
I then rotated the crank twice trying to realign everything but it was way out then when the crank reached just before 9 o'clock I could feel interference so I stopped. I tried going backwards and I can now feel interference at around 3 o'clock too.
I'm not sure what to do now as I can't get the crank back to 12 o'clock. I want to release the timing belt and realign everything but I'm worried that I will destroy the valves if the crank isn't in the correct position.
Anyone have any good advice?
Thanks
First off I've never built an engine myself. Don't do anything yet before you watch these videos. I've seen guys do this stuff before I just don't fully understand what's going on with your problem and I here to help since your doing this yourself. Check out these videos from my man Steph. He goes through building an engine and that's only thing I can think of off the top of my head that's gonna answer your problem. because I don't want to steer you in the wrong direction and this guy is my bible when it comes to engines and how to building them and hes a cool dude too... and just so you're aware hes build a different than your engine so its gonna not going to be 100% like what you have but this is just to get started and if this don't help just reply here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT8ZRb1Out8 and in case you need it heres the breakdown video. I know in one of these he's goes over the crankshaft and exactly how it works in the engine and I'm not sure which one of these that part is in so just watch both. I hope these help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MckxlP60cnY&t=15s
Edit: after posting this I also found this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOWMHz0Rfi4
