Behind the lower portion of the crank pulley a small cylindrical piece that is protruding from the engine. Getting the timing belt past this piece has been a challenge. What is it ?

 

Can you post a photo ?

 

Sure.When I get back this evening. (It resembles a cam sensor)

 

It isn't anything.

 

It is a nub on the Oil pump and is designed to keep the timing belt from jumping teeth. You can replace your timing belt without removing the pulley but this bump makes it difficult but not impossible. To make it easier remove the crank pulley if you want.

 

I scrapped a burned out 2.3 a few days ago, and inside that little button I found the oil pump relief valve spring. So it is actually something inside. It is the location of the oil pump relief spring.