99SOHC

Before changing the timing belt/pulleys, I tried to rotate the engine to the point where timing marks on pulleys liked up with timing marks on old belt, but actually ran the battery down cranking it over, and never got closer than 2 teeth? Finally gave up and just moved the sprockets a little.

 

Also, the Goodyear Gatorback belts MAY NOT align correctly. I replaced it so that the marks appeared lined up jut to the one side of a tooth on the left sprocket like this pic:

(ed. Pic removed, see same pic at bottom)

 

BUT IT WAS WRONG. One tooth off, at least. Ran crappy, threw a CEL after first test drive.

 

I replaced it with an OEM subaru belt and the marks were dead on. Pics to come.

(new pic below also)

 

 

Is there a method for counting the turns, or had the belt skipped or something? I replaced all idlers, tensioners, water pump, and belt.

99SOHC

Before changing the timing belt/pulleys, I tried to rotate the engine to the point where timing marks on pulleys liked up with timing marks on old belt, but actually ran the battery down cranking it over, and never got closer than 2 teeth[...]Is there a method for counting the turns, or had the belt skipped or something? I replaced all idlers, tensioners, water pump, and belt.

To answer the subject question "How many revolutions before timing marks align?", and some more insight, see:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=74629

How many revolutions before timing marks align?

 

No idea.

 

the Goodyear Gatorback belts MAY NOT align correctly

 

I got my Goodyear belt from Beck-Arnley (packaged as "Beck-Arnley") and was faced with the identical "problem". After a bunch of head scratching I decided to go with the mark on the pulley and timing cover (notch in plastic behind the pulley, see your picture), turned out ok.

 

Due to an adjuster bolt failure (don't ask me, I don't know why, all I know is the bolt failed 14 months later), I went with a Dayco belt, which lined up just fine.

 

Is there a method for counting the turns, or had the belt skipped or something?

 

The distances are un-equal (between the left and right belt distances in relation to the crank) so it becomes a relationship thing, rather than to get the marks to line up later kind of thing, besides the marks wear off in short order, or at least they do here), it is a put everything in the proper relationship, and put the belt on (without disturbing that relationship) "thing". Technically you should be counting teeth, rather than worrying about painted marks on a rubber belt, but to each his/her own.

 

Not really an answer, but the only one I have (and yes, it is probably a good idea to steer clear of Goodyear belts).

 

Not really an answer, but the only one I have (and yes, it is probably a good idea to steer clear of Goodyear belts).

I never use any belts but OEM subaru because of these possible issues.

To answer the subject question "How many revolutions before timing marks align?", and some more insight, see:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=74629

"This topic now comes up almost as often as the parking lights that won't shut off. For the engine in question, it takes 422 revolutions of the crank for the marks to line up again."

__________________________

 

Which if not a joke is the answer, and would explain the dead battery.

 

Funny thing was, when I first removed the cam covers, was that the belt and pulley marks just happened to be aligned.

 

I thought that pic looked familiar. That's my car!

 

Problem was that the hash mark on the cam sprocket did NOT line up with the teeth--no matter how much tooth counting you did. I ultimately did what Reveen suggested here, line up the hash mark with the notch on the cover and the engine (a '95 2.2) runs sweet as new.

99SOHC

I replaced it with an OEM subaru belt and the marks were dead on. Pics to come.

 

 

Here's what it should loook like: