So, I am to the point of setting the camshafts to tdc on my motor. Both my chilton and the Toyota factory service manual say that the right 2 cams should have the 2 dots on each cam lined up, and the left cams should have the one dot on each side lined up. I did that, and the right head was 180 degrees off. If I line up the single dots on the cams on BOTH heads, the timing looks correct, with the pin on the cams pointing up. I am not sure which way is right can someone help me out a little?

Let me know if you want pictures

 

Turn the crankshaft, and align the timing marks of the crankshaft timing pulley and oil pump body.

Check that the timing marks of the RH and LH cam/timing pulleys coincide with the timing marks of the timing belt cover.

(NOTICE: Always turn the crankshaft clockwise.)

This is exactly how you want it right before you put the belt on. Then, you just align marks that are on the timing belt with the marks on the timing belt cover/cam pulleys, and crankshaft.

 

Just curious, what happens if you turn the crank counter clockwise? What damage can this cause?

 

turning the crank CCW before you put the belt on won't do anything. After the timing belt is installed is when it really counts. CCW with the belt puts a lot of strain on the belt and might mess up the timing since it wasn't designed to move in that direction. You can also break an older belt by going CCW.

 

Just curious. I know sometimes on many vehicles, if you bump the starter, they will sometimes roll back from compression. I didn't know if there was anything internal on a Toyota engine that would be compromised. Thanks.