Thanks Chuck for your response. Appreciate the steadfast help you and Peter have given in this situation.

Will give a go at removing the crank bolt. One question although, how is the crank blocked from turning while using an impact wrench on it? Also in torque(ing) down once removed?

As to the pointer theory don’t know. If the thermostat housing is incorrect with the wrong pointer, for my TDC to be correct, the pointer would have to be 4 inches to the right longer as the damper indicates 30 BTDC.

Have a feeling the PO had a chain replaced and they botched the job, like the reaming of the cap socket screws. But when turning the chain I see no master link installed, so there goes that theory.

As you are, I am nearing my wits end on this. Starting to think it is a bad dream. If Stu Ritters shop wouldn’t charge 600 clams to do the job, I’d have him think it out. But guess you have to pay for fame and glory.

Gympie