i was wondering if you had to have the bottom timing belt cover on and if it was bad to not have it?...i noticed it went around the crank pully and covered the water pump and other thing its been a real hassle and was wonder if it would be ok to take off and leave it off?

 

1) it protect the belt/pulley from crap on the road
2) you need the pointer on the cover to read the timing.

 

ya i just looked at it im kepping it on

 

3) It also has an arrow to align the cam gear as well. At least on the SOHCs.

 

buh, he said lower cover, not upper cover

 

what if i cut the bottom piece just at the bottom by the crank pully and took it off that way plus i could still put it back on?

 

ya it is beacause you have to take off the whole crank pully to get it off :P

 

I've got my upper one off, but the lower one stays on. See your other thread about the crank pulley issue.