03 3.5L timing belt alignment help

[veedubmechanic]

I can not seem to get all the marks to line up properly when installing a new belt. I always have the rear cam 1/2 tooth off. The crank and front cam will be dead on. The belt is fully tensioned. I have spent 4hrs attempting in every way to install the belt in every way and it is always off the timing marks. The old belt was dead on when I removed it. It seems as if the belt can not be installed so the marks all line up, and yes it is the correct belt.

i have tried installing from rear cam, clamping the belt to the gear, then pump, then front cam and clamping it and pulling cam foward to tighten belt then around crank and then tensioner then off 1 tooth

I have tried putting around crank then wedging cardboard to hold belt in place-front cam- pump- rear cam-tensioner and then it is off 1 tooth


I had the same issue with a stratus 2.4 the day before and I ended up putting a 18mm wrench on each cam gear and turning both in and putting belt on and turning back to tension around top roller and everything was fine. But this 3.5L the cams WILL NOT line up with the marks on the cover even if the belt is banjo string tight they will not line up.

[veedubmechanic]

Well I got it figured out. On the 3.5L the cams are not supposed to be lined up. The rear cam (left) will be 1/2 tooth off. As long as the crank is lined up and the front cam is lined up and the rear is 1/2 tooth advanced its good to go. The car ran fine no codes.

My first timing belt job ever that all the marks do not line up dead on. Every other car manufacturer I have done one on the marks line up perfect on all cams/crank. Guess chrysler engineers allow for some "added tolerance" in their designs.