We have just taken apart a KA24DE motor with 16 valves. We have a factory shop manual but can not find the section about how to bring the motor back into correct timing, the FSM(internet one) talks about setting the motor to TDC(top dead center) however i am haev not found a section on how to get back to TDC when the engine has been taken apart. Anyone know of any links or maybe someone with the FSM(internet one) can guide me to what page in the manual we can find this?

Thanks!

 

SOHC KA's are 15BTDC 89-90
DOHC KA'S are 20BTDC 91-98

 

i dont understand the answer u gave

 

i have the 89 FSM and it doesnt tell you how to set it to TDC either. Anyone know?

Vinnie can you explain a bit? Thanx

 

Okay this is how you find TDC.
Remove the plug from cylinder # 1.
Put your thumb over the hole while your buddy cranks the motor, when you feel compression, have him stop, and bump it until you can see the piston at the top of its stroke.
The exhaust stroke wont have compression.
When its at the top of its stroke, thats TDC.
Put your distributor back on, and get a timing light.
Get the car running, and clip the timing light to #1 spark plug wire.
Point the light at the crank pulley.
There should be 5 or 6 notches on the crank pulley, and a needle sticking out of the motor.
The needle should point to the 2nd notch from the left when the light fires, looking at the car from the bumper to the tail lights, if im not mistaken, vinnie should know.
when its all done, your car will run again.

 

What you are going to need is a timing light. Look at the degree numbers on the side of the crank pulley you may need to remove the radiotor fan housing to do this.
Then connect the timing light to the spark plug wire in to the distributor.
Point the light at the crank pulley when the light flashes it will show what degree the spark will ignite.
BTDC stands for "Before Top Dead Center"
89-92 SOHC KA's are set at the factory BTDC of 15degress of ignition.
91-98 DOHC KA's are set at a factory BTDC of 20degress of ignition.

You want pistons 1 and 2 to be set at top dead center, and pistons 3 and 4 on the down stroke position.
In order to tell the position of the piston take off the valve cover.
Look at piston 1 cam arms, when the intake cam arm is furthest from the bucket and when the exhaust arm of the cam almost leaves the exhaust bucket, piston one is set at top dead center. You will also feel it using the ratchet to the crank bolt, it will feel tight right before it goes into the down ward stroke.
Once the Exhaust Arm leaves the bucket lifter the piston is now in the down ward stroke.

Use a ratchet and put it on the crank bolt this will allow you to set the pistons. Make sure that the transmission is in nuetral.
Set the distributor at 0. Then start the engine with the TDC at 0 for piston 1 and the distributor. Then use the timing light until it is set at 20 BTDC for DOHC's, or 15 BTDC for the SOHCs.......

Hopefully that helps.

 

this is for AT too?

 

YES

 

LA Phantom 240 is right also but I am showing the method on how to do it yur self. Like phantom said pull spark plug 1 out and check top dead center by putting you pinky finger into the spark plug hole if you feel the piston yur all good.

 

wat happens if the tranny isnt in neutral? (just wondering, i like to learn new things)

ive done timing on a 3000GT but that has a belt, this will be the first time messing with a chain driven engine. We didnt have the tranny in neutral for the 3000GT timing and everything was timed correctly and the car turned on.

 

Well how do you expect to set the timing then?
If the transmission is in gear the clutch will grab the fly wheel, or if an automatic the torque converter will be in place.
You need to free up the engine from the transmission.

 

but how did the 3000GT (auto) work? (im juss tryin 2 figure things out and learn) we had it in Park while we did the timing

 

ace, youre thinking valve timing. we're talking about ignition timing.

And in an atuo you can use it in park too. as long as youre not in any drive gear (Drive, 1,2, reverse)

 

oo crap, yeh i confused em lol thanx for clearing that up LA_phantom_240

 

lol no prob dude