Greetings and thanks in advance for useful input.

1990 2.3L threw timing belt while driving. Timing belt alignment procedures all describe process from a place of knowing where everything is when disassembled, not from having been disturbed and lost track of.

Is there an easy way to know if my spark for #1 cylinder, is synced correctly to fire for #1, or is it 180 degrees out?

 

Welcome to the forum

There are marks on the 3 timing belt gears that are set to a specific position to put engine at #1 TDC Compression stroke.

When crank woodruff key is at 12:00 #1 piston is at TDC, crank has no compression or exhaust stroke, it is either at TDC or BDC(bottom dead center)

The Cam gear sets compression stroke or exhaust stroke TDC for #1 not the crank/piston

This is why the Cam gear is twice as big at Crank gear
It is a 4-stroke engine, so piston needs to go up and down 4 times/strokes to complete one "cycle", one complete turn of Cam
So piston has no stroke position, the Cam and valves determine which of the 4 -strokes the piston will be on at TDC

So crank key at 12:00, AUX gear at 12:00
Cam Gear mark is at about 4:00 if memory serves

Drawing here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...2-3-jpg.69788/

When marks are lined up engine is at #1 TDC compression stroke.

The Crank sensor is what times the spark, it is on the Crankshaft, the 2.3l, (and all other Fords) sparks at every TDC, compression or exhaust, each spark plug in each cylinder sparks at its cylinders TDC, so can't really even do a 180 out for spark any more, lol, like on distributors
Ford uses Waste Spark, no not an "emissions thing", just simpler to do it this way
2.3l has dual spark plugs and BOTH spark plugs spark each time it's piston is at TDC.
Except when starting, just a heads up, only the exhaust side spark plugs/coil pack work when starting engine

 

Thanks for reply RonD.
Good job of writing review for the different things going on. Your a credit to the forum.

It's the determination of key @ 12 o'clock is top of compression or exhaust stroke for #1 that I was seeking.
I ratchet rolled the crank over with a compression gauge attached to find out. Got the right turn the first time.

Thanks again.