Timing belt problem

[Tom77]

I just replace the head gasket, and I'm trying to put the timing belt back, but I can't fit it, is too tight, even with the tensioner loose, is the same belt, same everything. I didn't remove all the belt, just the top, to take the head.
What could be wrong?
The car is a 82 Rabbit D.

[theman53]

It could be stuck a little on the crank sproket???
I put mine on the tensioner, crank, IP, and cam sproket. The cam sprocket isn't even on the cam though. I lift the cam sprocket onto the cam with the belt on and it usually goes better. Then I hit all my marks and tighten it down, check and recheck and recheck somemore

[Vincent Waldon]

Yup, you'll find that you'll probably need to pull the cam sprocket and put it on last, with the belt wrapped around it.  At least that's the way that always works best for me.

You're gonna want to loosen the cam sprocket anyways, to set the timing correctly from scratch.  ;-)

[rabbitman]

Could there be a small something down between the belt and crank pulley?