Had scheduled timing belt repalcement on my 270K mile 1985 245 non turbo last month by an independant shop. Have now noticed a "putting" sound when accelerating at low RPM (1500-3500). My wife asked if it was knocking (preignition) but the sound to me is not that of knocking at least as I experienced it in other cars. Checked all vacuum hoses and they are intact. No obvious exhast leak. Is it possible for the timing belt to be installed just a little off where it should be resulting in a minor mis timing of valves? Does knocking in a red block engine sound more muffled that the usual high pitched ping I have experienced in the past.

The shop has a good local reputation but I must say that in changing the timing belt they damaged the radiator return tank (plastic) resulting in my purchasing a new radiator from them and in the past missed a bent fuel return line for several years resulting in 2 pressure regulator replacements and fuel pump replacement before the problem was discovered by another shop.

The other shop is 200 miles away and not a easy option.

So my question is can a timing belt be installed just a few degrees off and if so what are the symptoms?

Thanks
Howard