Hi all... I'm still working on my project crd that I bought all torn apart.

I am almost ready to reinstall the cam gears and timing belt so I bought this timing gear lock (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002 ... UTF8&psc=1) thinking that would work without having to buy the expensive special tool for this vehicle, but now I am wondering if it will work because how will I know that I have the correct number of teeth between them?

I suppose maybe I could put the belt on and figure it out that way?

Forgot to mention that the guy who took them off did not make any marks on the rear timing cover or the sprockets as is recommended in all of the tutorials I have seen so that makes things tougher

Marking the cam pulleys is meaningless other than for general reference only!
The cams are timed by pinning them and the crankshaft with the proper pinning tools.
The timing belt should be installed and tensioned with the cam gears bolts finger tight (snug) so they can rotate on the ends of the camshafts when tensioning the cam belt to self align.
There are timing marks with indexes on both the injection pump and crankshaft that should be placed in the proper position when timing this engine.
The cam pulleys can be held with a counterforce tool when performing the final torquing of the 2 cam bolts.
You can make a counterforce tool homemade, buy one, or rent one from a parts store. Plenty of them on line, just Google!

There is a five part YouTube video worth watching that is very helpful in showing you all the how tos of timing belt replacement....
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o_FJpBEKjk

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Thanks... I have watched all 5 of those videos multiple times and have found them to be extremely helpful, but he uses the special tool and marks the cams... I have neither of those things.

It sounds as though what you are saying though is that I can tension the belt then use the tool I bought to hold the pulleys in place while I torque them down. Is that correct?

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You might find this chat helpful. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=87074&p=915163#p915163

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That was a helpful chat... It helped me confirm I have the crankshaft in the correct position, but it didn't address my question about having the correct number of teeth between the cam pulleys when I torque them down

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The number of teeth between the cam pulleys is irrelevant. The pulleys are to be 100% LOOSE so that they can adjust as you tension the belt, when the belt is tight and the crankshaft and fuel pump are properly positioned according to their timing marks... Then the cams are happy and ready to be tightened.

They are infinitely adjustable, because the crankshaft and the fuel pump (subject to debate) are not.

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Thanks that was the info I was trying to confirm

I appreciate everyone's help