Timing Chain Replacement Issue

So, let me preface this with I messed up, just not sure how badly at the moment...

In the middle of doing the timing chain replacement/cover reseal and I just realized that I skipped a critical step before removing the old chains, I didn't center the crank pulley so everything is top dead center (it gets better). I realized the timing marks seemed to be off on the cam sprockets (of course) so I thought the previous owner had done a poor timing job in addition to the bad seal job so I just manually rotated the camshaft to align the marks, potentially while the secondary chains were uncoupled as well with the exhaust/cam sprockets.

How bad of a mistake is this? I've been reading that the 1GRFE VVT engine adjusts timing via the VVT solenoids so am I amble to get it "close" still? How would I even begin to determine how far off it is? I assume I need to find TDC for cylinder 1 and go from there. I'm definitely feeling the limitations of my engine knowledge/experience at the moment. Thank you for your advice in advance.

 

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The timing needs to be set exactly.

Sounds like you missed all of the critical steps. You’ll need to go back in and do it correctly.

 

Yeah, I know that now. Not sure what I was thinking but I just dug into it after watching a few videos and probably wasn't in the best frame of mind wanting to just get it done before it got dark and racing the rain.

It's still apart so my question is, can I get the timing dialed in even after missing that key step? Orient the crank to TDC, make sure the cam and exhaust sprockets are lined up with the guide, etc. Or is the timing thrown off completely? I don't know how I would verify that the exhaust and fuel cams are properly oriented in relation to themselves and the main crank, does the engine do that through the variable valve timing as long as the chains are set correctly with those guides?

Images below show the cams for bank 1 and 2 with the crank at 0 degrees.

 

Yes. You can get the timing back to the correct settings.
Make sure the Cylinder #1 is TDC on the Compression stroke and aligned with mark on the crank.
Then set the marks on the cams and reinstall the chain.

 

Amazing. Thank you! Is there a good way to know which one is compression versus exhuast? I can hear air coming out on some of the cylinders when turning the crank manually. Should I take out the #1 spark plug?

 

You can either put the front cover back on with pulley (temporarily) and using the timing marks on the cover.
Or you can remover the #1 spark plug and use a long screw driver to find TDC.

There is a timing mark on the crank sprocket, but it's only there for the chain colored link.
Sure would have been nice if Toyota stamped the block to align the sprocket. Would be so much "easier".

 

Just line up the timing marks to get close, then use the colored links on the chain for final timing when installing the chain.
I will add be careful turning things with it out of time, if it binds or doesn't feel right when turning then stop so you don't damage valves.

There is.

 

Wow......This whole time I was thinking this was a 2TR.......

I gotta paying attention. And jumping threads......

 

Don't feel too bad, I've mad mistakes like that plenty times especially when I'm tired.

 

It actually applied though. They must not have changed the timing system too much with the 6 cylinder