Problem - Timing Belt Advice

[TriniGT]

Okay I know I am gonna get flamed for this but I jumped the gun on my project and began scrapping the exterior engine items and also in so doing while trying to get to the oil pump I had to remove my timing belt and crank gear. Problem now is that I did not set the cam gears to the markers and the crank appropriately. Any advice as I cannot say for certain that the crank is at the same position since I removed it, it is definitely not been turned more than a couple of teether on the flywheel side so what are my options? Will it be necessary to remove the head and ensure that cylinder 1 is a TDC and then ensure that the cam gears are at the markers before torquing it back or can I do something else to get everything back where it should be? I currently have the sump off so was wondering if I can somehow turn the crank and manually turn the gears to get it set or should I just swap back on the front crank gear without the oil pump and rotate the entire assembly until it is at the markers? Any advice is greatly appreciated, yes I know I made a huge mistake but need to correct it. I have parts on order for the engine so I am waiting for those to be shipped in, gasket kit, adjustable gears, tensioner stud, water hard tubes, tensioner and idler pullies, new timing belt, coolant and vacuum lines etc so wanted to get things prepped for assembly.

[TriniGT]

Anyone can give me some advice?

[Hadouken]

Take it to a mechanic

[blind_elk]

You can set it all correctly when you come to put it all back together. With the sump off, you can tell the #1 is roughly @ TDC.

[jhjones]

If you removed the spark plugs, turned it by hand, would you cause damage if it hit the valves?

[StealthX]

If you removed the spark plugs, turned it by hand, would you cause damage if it hit the valves?

probably not...

usually you could put a big socket extension down cyl 1 spark plug tube, you'll see it move up and down when you turn the engine and be able to tell where tdc is, then the belt will only sit over one tooth with perfect TDC.

[TriniGT]

So should I reattach the belt and turn the crank or just turn the crank and manually turn the cam gears to line up with the markers?

[doo doo]

At worst you could take the cams out so there'll be no valve interference if you need to turn just the crank- easier than removing the head. Then put it all back together in the right position when you get the new gear. The valves can also interfere with each other if you spin the cams individually, and you will get piston and valve interference with valves that are open if you just spin the crank, not worth risking any damage.