How to align the timing marks on the Jiangling Shunda timing belt?
4 Answers
Align the crankshaft mark to the 12 o'clock position and match it with the mark on the timing seat. There is a positioning hole on the camshaft, which can be fixed by screwing in an 8mm bolt. After installation, rotate the crankshaft two turns and check if the timing marks are correctly aligned.
I've done this a few times, and changing the timing belt on a JMC Shunda requires extra care. First, you need to remove the engine cover and belt guard, then rotate the crankshaft to the top dead center position of the first cylinder. There's a small triangular mark on the crankshaft pulley that must align with the notch mark on the engine block. The camshaft side requires even more attention—there's a notch on the camshaft timing gear that must perfectly match the groove on the cylinder head. If the marks aren’t aligned properly during installation, it’s guaranteed to cause valve collision, which would mean a major engine overhaul. Another critical point is adjusting the belt tension correctly—it’s best to measure it with a professional tensioning tool. After finishing, don’t rush to reinstall the covers; first, turn the crankshaft a couple of times with a wrench to confirm all marks remain aligned before reassembling.
Last time I helped my friend with the timing belt on his Shunda light truck, the whole process had to be done step by step. First, locate the small dot mark on the crankshaft pulley, rotate the pulley into position, and align it with the 0 mark on the engine housing. At this point, an arrow mark will appear on the camshaft gear, which must be aligned with the locating pin hole on the cylinder head. When aligning the marks, it's crucial to ensure the engine is at top dead center (TDC) in the compression stroke. If the belt is too tight or too loose, it will skip teeth in no time. After replacing the belt, it's best to start the engine cold and listen carefully for any abnormal valve knocking sounds to identify issues promptly. The whole job takes about 2 hours, and doing it yourself can save a few hundred bucks in labor costs.
I've done this twice before. Remember to clean the engine surface first for better visibility. The small triangular mark on the crankshaft pulley should align with the notch on the engine front cover, and the round hole mark on the camshaft gear should align with the protrusion on the cylinder head. The biggest fear when timing is misalignment, so double-check each position. When installing the new belt, make sure all three points are aligned before slowly releasing the tensioner. If you hear a ticking sound after starting the engine, shut it off immediately and recheck. The timing design on this Shunda engine is quite user-friendly, with much clearer markings than some domestic vehicles.
