92 v6 toyota timing question help needed please

[91toyindiana]

undefinedhi i have a 1991 toyota ext pickup 3.0 efi 5 speed..
my problem is when i try to start my truck in the morning i cant start it unless i adjust the distributor and place it out of time.. and runs crappy. if i set it on time after its started its choking out and i hit the throttle it makes a blah blah sound and looses its breath and dies..so if i set the timing where i can at least hit the throttle without it diein is the only way i can get it too run.. whats could this be.. i replaced the wires ,plugs ,cap ,rotor button and a diff distributor.. i tried to do diagnostics and no codes showed up.if its on time and i try to start it i smell gas and it wont start....and when its out of time and at least runs it smells like exhaust but notta a sulpher type smell just exhaust smell is strong...im really confused on this and need major help..

[reb]

How old is your timing belt? I would guess it might have jumped a tooth.

[91toyindiana]

well ive had this tr uck for bout 3 months..its got 235k miles on it so not sure when the last change was...but i did have the top of the cover of the timng belt cover and it looked like the teeth were fine for what i could see but did look like a old belt...i would say its got 80k on it.. is that what a timing belt does the same s ymptons?

[reb]

As I recall, the recommended replacement period for the 3.0 timing belt is 60, 000 miles. I don't know what to look for in the appearance to judge the age of the belt. I would recommend replacing the belt. When you do, check the idler pulleys. The bearings wear out. Mine had to be replaced with the second replacement belt. Also check the tensioner. If that is weak I would expect it to increase the likelihood of the belt jumping a notch.
Good luck. Let us know what you find out.

[91toyindiana]

how hard is it to change the belt.. i got the haynes guide and normal tools. doesnt look too difficult.. and i gotta belt but no other parts ....i was also wondering im tryin to check and see if the distributor in on the right toof.. but i cant get to the crank to t urn it with the fan in the way is there a easier way to get tdc without taking stuff off..

[reb]

The job doesn't seem to be too bad. You sound like you are reasonably mechanically proficient. I would expect you can handle it, especially with the advice available on this site. I will have to admit, tho, that the first time mine was done, I had the Toyota shop do it with the head gasket recall. The second time my schedule was too busy with items from the honey-dew list, so I had a local mechanic do it.
As for turning the crank, you might have to pull the plugs. On one of my 4-bangers I could turn the crank by pulling on a fan belt, but I suspect the compression was probably a bit low.