I removed my plenum and bits to change my knock censor, to do this you have to take the cam belt off to get the idle pully off,

now ive never timed a car before let alone a v6, i can see all the marks i need to line up on the cams and bottom pulley, but a mate said make sure piston no 1 is top dead center on the combustion stroke before putting the belt on, is there any way of knowing what stroke that is without taking the plenum etc and rocker covers off to see the cams?

Ive been told the lobes on the cams have to be pointing up on first cylinder (front one drivers side), is this right? and what way do they need to be facing on second cylinder? (front one passenger side)

i would be grateful for any advice, cheers

You only need to make sure no'1 is on compression,just put the cams on the marks.

this might help............

http://www.300zx.co.uk/tech/manual/manual/em/017.gif

does that mean just turn the bottom pulley until the pistons at the top of number one then follow the marks? or do i need to check the cam loabs are facing up?

does that mean just turn the bottom pulley until the pistons at the top of number one then follow the marks? or do i need to check the cam loabs are facing up?

The cams will be right when lined up with the marks-No'1 needs to be TDC-or when the lower mark lines up.

I'd suggest to get the crank pulley and lower cover off also.

Getting the timing belt back on and timed correctly with the cover still in place is a nightmare.

As shown in the picture posted by Mantav8, all sprockets have aligning marks on them, as has the timing belt , which all need to line up exactly

The marks on the back plates are less important and are more for indication, where the sprocket marks need to be set at, before you put the belt on.

If the marks on the t.belt have faded, you can count the teeth on the belt to set it correctly (see service manual), but to be honest I would get a new belt in that case.