Okay... to determine Piston #1 TDC... You take the little mark on the oil pump gear and line it up with the mark on the block, correct? Well, let's say I had the timing cover on so I lined it up by using the crankshaft pulley and lined it up with the mark on the cover, ok? Now let's say I take the cover off and look at the oil pump. Strangely enough... without disturbing the crank at all, If I take the pulley and timing cover back off.. those marks are not aligned whatsoever. off by at least a tooth on the crank gear... which is probably like 40 degrees of timing lol.

So my question is... is this why I can't get my timing belt on? Because my marks have somehow gotten messed up?

The oil pump was taken off at the machine shop...

Other than that any clues? thanks,
Harry