Timing Belt Alignment

[Got Molo]

Alright fellas, I'm half-way done with replacing the timing belt on my 1.8L and I'm stuck.
The first picture (it's hard to see in the alignment hole) shows the cam gear in the right position. The 2nd picture shows the crankshaft gear NOT in the right position. The crankshaft gear notch is actually 3 teeth to the right of the alignment bump; it's behind the belt. I turned the crankshaft to TDC BEFORE I removed the old belt. The last picture is what is supposed to be happening. The timing is obviously off. What should I do? Thanks guys.

[Got Molo]

Well, I got it! I took the timing belt off and rotated the crankshaft gear COUNTER CLOCKWISE until the alignment marks lined up, which was only 2 or 3 teeth. Put the belt back on, buttoned everything up, and she runs better than ever!! In fact, it runs and idles smoother now then before, which leads me to believe the belt jumped a couple teeth. Anybody else experience this?

[Flashmn]

You didnt fire it up right after you got the belt on the first time, but you manually turned the engine around 720degrees? That basically helps the tensioner to do its job, however if the tensioner works, then I dont see how it could of skipped three teeth. Also the belt has to be put on counter clockwise, otherwise theres a chance the teeth wont "mesh" correctly with the pulleys.

Anyhow, good thing that you got it running. Basically its very straight forward.

[Got Molo]

I did everything per the manual. When I rotated the motor 720 degrees with the new belt, the 2 gears didn't line up with their marks, and the manual doesn't describe what to do if that happens. I figured it was unlikely the belt jump the camshaft gear, seeing how big it is. It definitely has been like that for a while. The car idled a little rough ever since I bought it.

[Flashmn]

Yeah, you just take off the belt, realign the wheels and put the belt back on. Anyways, seems like you got it working, so there shouldnt be any problems.