Replacing the shortblock on my 2000 A6 Quattro 2.8. My cheezy Chiltons book is very vague. With the "plates" on the ends of the camshafts, in the horizontal position, should my crankshaft be set at the timing mark on the damper wheel? With the mark in position, #3 cylinder is at TDC. (mentions this in my book also) Not #1, So, My question here is, do I set the crank on the mark, and install the belt with #3 at TDC? or do I have to figure out when #1 is at TDC to install the belt? Don't want to put it in the wrong position and start bending Valves. I would like to drop my engine in today, if I can get this set properly. PLEASE HELP!!! Post here, or e-mail NoOther@aol.com. Thank you for any help here.

 

I would keep rotating it until 1 is at TDC. It sounds like you are 180deg out. The mark on the crank should line up with the TB cover mark.

 

There are two holes on the end of the Camshaft plate. One is large than the other. They should be facing inward on a horizontal plane. Do you have the tools for locking the Camshafts in place. If not you need to purchace them to do a proper job tensioning the belts.