1985 mdel diesel lost timing due to tensioner failure would like to set it back correctly

https://www.google.com/#q=Timing+belt+tension+setting+on+Toyota+1987+diesel+hty+2.4+truck
Hope this helps

Recheck timing. Newer cars , timing has to be dead on the marks. Some times you have to add extra tension to the tensioner before bolting it down. Did you also change out the tensioner and idler pulley when you did this job?

I hate to tell you this, but you might have a bad cam.
Take off your valve covers, and run engine at idle. See that all your rocker arms are moving the same.

Refer to Figures 1,2,3,4 when performing 17-step timing procedure for 1981-1985 Diesel Engines.

Fig 1. Injection pump and camshaft alignment marks - Diesel engine.




Fig 2. Removing the timing belt holder - Diesel engine.



Fig 3. Injection pump alignment marks - Diesel engine.



Fig 4. Tensioiner Pulley Bolt Sequence - Diesel engine.



Procedure - Timing Belt replacement.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Drain the cooling system.

CAUTION
When draining the coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are attracted by ethylene glycol antifreeze, and are quite likely to drink any that is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove fatal in sufficient quantity. Always drain the coolant into a sealable container. Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or several years old.

2. Remove the timing belt cover. Remove the injection pump sprocket flange.

3. Using a prybar, remove the tension spring from the timing belt tensioner.

When removing the tension spring, avoid using excessive force for the spring may become distorted.

4. Remove the tensioner pulley bolt and the pulley.

5. Remove the timing belt and discard it.

To install:

6. Rotate the crankshaft to bring the No. 1 piston to TDC of the compression stroke.

7. Align the timing marks on the injection pump sprocket with the camshaft sprocket; the marks must be facing each other.

8. Using a new timing belt, install it in the following sequence: crankshaft sprocket, camshaft sprocket and the injection pump sprocket; the slack must be between the injection pump and camshaft sprockets.

9. Install the tension center and the tension pulley so the end of the tension center is fitted against both pins on the timing pulley housing.

10. Hand tighten the nut so the tension pulley can be rotated freely.

11. Install the tension spring and semi-tighten the pulley nut to 22-36 ft. lbs. (30-48 Nm).

12. Rotate the crankshaft 2 full turns clockwise to seat the belt and further turn the crankshaft 90° beyond TDC to settle the injection pump.

13. Loosen the tension pulley nut to take up the timing belt slack. Tighten the tension pulley nut to 79-94 ft. lbs. (108-128 Nm).

14. Install the injection pump sprocket flange; the hole in the outer circumference of the flange should be aligned with the triangular timing mark on the injection pump sprocket.

15. Rotate the crankshaft 2 full turns clockwise to bring the No. 1 piston to TDC of the compression stroke. Make sure the triangular timing mark on the timing sprocket is aligned with the hole in the flange, then, measure the timing belt tension; it should be 33-55 lbs.

16. Install the timing belt cover.

17. Connect the negative battery cable.

Only the 2.3 liter diesel is an interference engine. The 2.3 Liter gas is not an interference engine. I would guess the belt was not installed correctly. The belt broke so the cam was then out of alignment with the crankshaft. Unless you aligned it correctly it will not start. BTW, the belt must be replaced every 60,000 miles. I asume you have the timing cover off, put it back on and set the crankshaft at the 0 mark on the timing cover, remove the cover and don't touch the crank. near the bottom of the cam gear is a protruding piece of plastic with three raised areas, set the cam timing mark at the first pointer, closest to the passenger side . on the back part of the timing cover is a v shaped pointer set the distributor gear mark at the pointer, remove the distributor cap and verify that the rotor is pointing at #1. Loosen both bolts on the tensioner and using a pry bar carefully pry the tensioner away from the distributor gear, tighten the small bolt on the tensioner. install the new belt starting at the crank, then the distributor gear, then the cam, then over the tensioner pulley. loosen the small bolt and the tensioner will adjust automatically. tighten the tensioner bolts and turn the engine over by hand 2 or 3 times and make sure all marks line up ( the cam mark should now be at the center pointer with the crank at 0). I find it handy to paint a reference mark for the crank inside the timing cover.

BACK IN 1985 BUICK REGAL HAD 3.8 V6 231 CU INCH ENGINE.BUT BUICK ALSO USED THE V8 307 OLDS ENGINE.V6 263 DIESEL AND V8 350 DIESEL ENGINE.BACK IN 1985.

Installation > 5.9L Diesel Engine 5.9L Diesel Engine
WARNING Do not attempt to check belt tension with a belt tension gauge on vehicles equipped with an automatic belt tensioner.

Drive belts on diesel engines are equipped with a spring loaded automatic belt tensioner. This belt tensioner will be used on all belt configurations, such as with or without air conditioning.

1. Depending on the year of the vehicle, a 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch square hole is provided in the automatic belt tensioner. Attach a 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch drive-long handle ratchet to this hole.
   
2. Rotate ratchet and tensioner assembly clockwise (as viewed from front) until tension has been relieved from belt.
   
3. Remove belt from water pump pulley first.
   
4. Remove belt from vehicle.
   

To install:

WARNING When installing the accessory drive belt, the belt must be routed correctly. If not, engine may overheat due to water pump rotating in wrong direction. The correct belt with correct length must be used. Position drive belt over all pulleys except water pump pulley.

1. Attach a 1/2 inch ratchet to tensioner.
   
2. Rotate ratchet and belt tensioner clockwise. Place belt over water pump pulley. Let tensioner rotate back into place. Remove ratchet. Be sure belt is properly seated on all pulleys.
   

There is only one way to tighten a bolt, turn it the opposite way and you loosen it. On my Passat the tensioner bolt tightens to the right same as any normal bolt. It sounds to me that you are being fed a load of ---------.
The only way for the valves to hit the pistons is for the belt to jump teeth or for it to break.

5.9L DIESEL
The 5.9L diesel engine accessory drive system (with a/c) consists of :

1. Generator Pulley (1)
2. Water Pump Pulley (2)
3. Idler Pulley (3)
4. Power Steering Pump Pulley (4)
5. Radiator Fan Pulley (5)
6. Crankshaft Pulley (6)
7. Automatic Tensioner (7)
8. A/C Compressor Pump Pulley (8)

CAUTION: When installing the accessory drive belt, the belt must be routed correctly. If not, engine may overheat due to water pump rotating in wrong direction. Refer to or for correct engine belt routing. The correct belt with correct length must be used.
1. Position drive belt over all pulleys except water pump pulley. 2. Attach a 1/2 inch ratchet to tensioner.


The 5.9L diesel engine accessory drive system (without a/c) consists of :

1. Generator Pulley (1)
2. Water Pump Pulley (2)
3. Idler Pulley (3)
4. Power Steering Pump Pulley (4)
5. Radiator Fan Pulley (5)
6. Crankshaft Pulley (6)
7. Automatic Tensioner (7)

3. Rotate ratchet and belt tensioner clockwise. Place belt over water pump pulley. Let tensioner rotate back into place. Remove ratchet. Be sure belt is properly seated on all pulleys.