Timing belt 10 degrees off

[MSdaddy123]

Okay, this one has me stumped. I have a 1993 2.3 L 8 plug FI electronic ignition mustang. After the head cracked, I replaced it with a junk yard head off a Ranger. Everything went fine and all was well until putting on the timing belt, The cam gear will not line up TDC with the crank. It is either 10 degrees before or 10 degrees after depending on which tooth I put it on. I can't get it to be TDC. If it were 20 degrees off, I could just move it a tooth, but this is halfway in between. Is there anything else that can make this happen? It will run, but it doesn't have the power it should. Any ideas?

 

[HyYoSilver]

If the head has been milled that will throw off the sproket alignment.
There are adjustable cam sprokets available, that will get it centered again.....

 

[MSdaddy123]

Well that certainly makes some sense! I'll look into that. Any hints about where to look?

 

[Stinger]

Are you using the old belt? If so it is probably stretched...

 

[MSdaddy123]

No, sorry, I should have mentioned that. At first I did and when it was 10 degrees off I thought the same thing and got a new one (went through the whole crank pully removal to get it off ) only to still be 10 degrees off.

 

[HyYoSilver]

Now this is a real mystery.

Might be worthwhile to doublecheck the cam sprocket for another keyway slot that would align the cam to 0*. There may have been some differences between the Ranger and Mustang engines.....??? Or maybe the cam timing between the two....???

There's two different sprocket types, a 'round' tooth and a 'square' tooth. Make sure yours match up. I thought they both had the same timing, but maybe not....?

If no joy there, I'd just pick up an adjustable sproket. Racer Walsh sells them.
http://racerwalsh.zoovy.com/c=1cwl7UnTJ93Hmoc563DZTUnO2/product/RWA1443_SQ

 

[MSdaddy123]

Both were round tooth. Sounds like a good idea to check to see if the key is in the same place at least. Maybe there is a difference. I do have the old head, I'll check tomorrow and let you know. Thanks for the link. At least I am moving forward!