Another timing belt question (3VZ)

[thaharlequin]

Alright, so I'm ready to put everything back together on my camry, but the crank pulley doesn't want to go on w/o rubbing against the lower timing cover.

Is there some trick to putting on the lower timing cover so it's closer to the engine, or does the crank pulley need some sort of spacer between it and the crank bolt that I lost so it won't rub against the lower cover?

[camry6]

The order of re-assembly for the crank timing belt sprocket is as follows:

Belt sprocket is aligned with the raised edge toward the engine and slides over the crankshaft key and is pushed all the way on until seated against the stop shoulder machined in the crankshaft.

The timing belt guide is then aligned and pushed tight against the sprocket. This is the round disk that has a flared edge around the outer circumference, and a ring of dimples or holes around its mid circumference. This flare is positioned away from the belt.

The belt is installed with all timing marks aligned and the tensioner released to tighten the belt.

The lower timing belt cover is then installed.

Align the crankshaft balancer pulley with the crankshaft key and slide it all the way in against the timing belt guide and sprocket.

Finally, install the crank bolt.

It sounds by your description that you are probably missing the timing belt guide (similar to a large washer with a flared edge) between the timing belt sprocket and the crank pulley. This will allow your pulley to go about an eighth of an inch to far and rub against the cover.

[thaharlequin]

The timing belt guide is there, between the lower cover and the sprocket, so I don't see how that can be the problem. Would hanging/tensioning the belt before I put on the lower cover be why I'm having trouble?