Joy! I got to thinking about the camshafts slipping and realized that the engine is at TDC and thereore, the cams are also in a neutral position with no spring pressure. Popped the sprockets with my 3-point puller, set the belt tension and all is good. I purchased a cam locking bar, along with the crankshaft locking pin awhile back and they worked like a gem. So, the belt's in place, the covers now on and I also installed the serpentine belt and covers. Changed the oil, filter and now will install the injector bar and plug stuff in. Sooooon, real soon! Maybe even tomorrow. 20 degrees out there and more snow, so I had to come in as the feet started getting cold. The heater helps, to be sure! Thanks for all you support and stand by. . .

 

Oh, by the way, after the timing belt was adjusted and snugged up, the crankshaft locking pin removed, I very, very carefully turned the engine over, fearing the worst, but never experienced it. The engine turned over quite easily with no "hard spots" during multiple rotations. I guess I didn't "interfere" with the engine this time! Those rotations were worth about $700.00!!!!

 

Howdy to all,
Well, here's Monday's results: New plugs, plug wires, almost all components plugged in/hooked up, save for the MAF system and wonder of wonders, it fires! Of course, it won't hold an idle yet but it sure sounded sweet, ever so briefly. Unfortunately, I watched about 1/2 quart of the expensive Petosin Pink antifreeze drain out from a barely visible but unattached cooling hose () but got it secured and no further fluid leaks. What I do have (and my memory is failing me here) is a renegade small wired sensor that I found danglin in the darkness just below the throttle body, quietly and unobtrusively resting against the top of the bell housing. It is about 1 1/2" long, threaded with a sealing washer, does not look like it's been wet (oil/fuel) but does look a bit carbonized (exhaust?). It is a very small two-wired but insulated unit and, for the life of me, I cannot chase down it's home back there because of all the now-present traffic from other wires, vacuum lines, etc.. Any ideas would be most welcome as I'm at a loss and am going hunting with my lil' telescoping mirror tomorrow morning. Everything else is looking good and I'm hoping that sensor didn't go under the intake manifold somewhere, necessitating my removing the intake system. . .A bit nervous about my oversight here. So close, yet so far.

 

Cool..

Could that part be the EGR Temp Sensor? Or even the Flow Sensor?

 

Well, I'm not sure if it's one of those two units. I'm going to pop off a couple of pics as I further explore it's ultimate resting place. I went all through the Bentley Manual, studying various components and pics but saw nothing that looked quite like this sensor. The length of the wire, which appears to emerge from a loom very close to the intake manifold, is not long enough to reach an exhaust manifold, but is "aging memory/bend" suggests that it goes somewhere right around the throttle body or (I hope not!) under the intake manifold. Anybody know/remember any sensors under the intake? I don't. . . Going to lower the entire car down off of the jackstands today to give a better angle into the backside of the engine compartment.
Thanks for your thoughts and trouble,
Marblehead

 

Okay, here's a few pics of the job to date, one of the engine compartment and two of that li' sensor in my hand. You'll notice its location right under the throttle body intake. Still searching for its home and welcome any ideas you may have. It's great to finally have the car off of the jackstands where it's resided since last June! Got waylaid due to double hernia surgery but all's great now with this ol' dog- at least when the car is completely buttoned up and on the road. Let me know if you happen to notice anything else awry in the pictures. . .
Thanks,
Steve

 

Thought I had a pic of the engine compartment. I'll go back and redo the pics so stand by. . .

 

That looks like its for the EGR.. hope its not a Knock Sensor

 

Okay, it's out of its temporary resting place after many months of being disabled. I do have a vacuum leak and the idle is appropriately rough. No fluid leaks, however and it sure feels good to be able to move the car once again. I went back and looked at some earlier pics, one of which show the sensor laying atop the valley cover, suggesting to me that it very likely is attached somewhere on the intake mainfold. Any thoughts/ideas are most welcome and I'm still hoping I don't have to remove the intake again!

 

In looking at an earlier pic with the intake manifold off, the knock sensors (2 of 'em) are untouched and in place. So, can I assume with some confidence that we're talking about an EGR sensor? The problem is that it won't reach over to the EGR area. . .Wire's too short.