Looking through the filler cap is more of a rough estimate of the intake cam being in the correct spot. With the upper timing cover off, you should disregard this method and align the cam and crankshafts via the timing marks.

Now, the 2 pictures you show of the intake cam gear tell me that your intake cam is 180? off of where it should be with the engine at TDC on the compression stroke. The white mark on the gear at the bottom has a small notch in it, that is the true timing mark. The other marks were from somebody removing them when the engine was NOT at TDC, and it just helped them put it back to how it was.

IIRC, you shouldn't be able to install the cam gear onto the camshaft any other way than how it is supposed to be on there due to alignment pins.

Thanks BT. I completely blanked and was influenced by the previous mechanics timing marks. Followed the procedure as described and all is well. Every time I have gone over some of the assembly from the HG repair, it has improved the car drive-ability. This site has been a great help. :bigthumb: