timing belt

[71 malibu 3935]

I replaced the water pump on my 95 Mazda MX3 1.6L DOHC. The timing belt was replaced last year so I replaced the water pump without removing the timing belt. I carfully worked the pump from behind the timing belt. Nothing else on the car was changed or moved and the car will not start. It sounds like it is out of time. Is it possible the timing belt jumped a tooth or 2 while the idler pulleys were off. Is there enough slack in the belt for the belt to disengage the teeth on the pulley? I did not check the position of the belt as I made the assumption the belt would keep the correct location on the crank pulley. Has anyone
encountered this problem?

[mx3man]

no I've never encountered the problem, but yes it is very possible for the belt to jump teeth while the tensionner is off. Check and see if the timing marks line up properly on the block.

[71 malibu 3935]

The timing marks were off due to the slack in the belt.
The motor is back together and runs great. I found a
shop trick to simplify timing belt installation that I did not come across in the forum posts. I used vise grips on the cams (not on lobes) to keep the pulleys from rotating off the timing marks. Just remember to take them off when you start the motor!!! Ha!!
Thanks for your comments MX3man.

[mx3man]

thats a really good idea, Ill check that out when I rip my motor out later this year. Thanks!