Heely

i need to set my timing on my 90 that i just put a head on. i searched and found out how to do it. i read that you just unplug the TPS, and shoot the light at the crank pully. then if its out of time, turn the distributer.

i understand all that, but i dont think i have any marks on the crank pully. Where are they? also the belt is old. if the belt is bad and dirty can you still do this?

any help would be appreciated.

Project Cheap13

If it is on TDC you should see a score mark on the pully or else it is 180 deg off( try turning the crank 180 to find it). It should have been on TDC before you pulled the head off.


What belt are you refering to that is "old & dirty"? If you do a HG it is recommended that you replace all belts & thermostat. It is $25 of cheap insurance.
The belts have nothing to do with timing. The timing chain does.

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They are not big marks, just little notches in the edge of the crank pulley. If you run your finger around the pulley you'll feel them and a good flash light helps.

Project Cheap13

Also. I forgot to add. It would be a great idea. Once you find the mark to use a white marker or chalk & mark the location of it on the pulley. It will make it MUCH easier to see.

Heely

project cheap13, im talking about ingnition timing. i have the timing chain timed. #1 at TDC, and the cam sprocket at 12 o clock.

ill see if i can get this figured out.

Project Cheap13

What I was saying is that it may have been possible to have the engine 180 out( it may be on the exhaust stroke not the compression stroke). That is why you dont see the mark. If the cam & crank was lined up properly. You should see the mark right at TDC on the indicator. It should be plain as day.

There should be 6 marks. If you are looking at the front of the engine standing in front of the car. From YOUR) right side there will be 6 marks on the pulley. they are located on the BACK lip of the pulley.
They start at 5 deg ATDC( After top dead center) & got to 20deg BTDC( before top dead center). In 5 deg incriments. From 5ATDC, TDC(0 deg) 5,10,15 & 20 ATDC


NOW. ALL the marks should be WHITE, except TDC(0 deg) whch is the 2nd from the right. That one will be RED.

This is exactly how it should be. If not you either have an aftermarket pulley or the wrong pulley.
If you need a coeect pulley I have one I can ship out tomorrow.

Heely

hey man thanks, i just misunderstood you. ill clean the pully and take a good look at it. thanks for clearing that up. its still not running exactly right. ill try to figure it out tomorrow.

thanks for the help.

Heely

so what should the stock setting be? 15?

Project Cheap13

Yes. 15BTDC

Heely

i tried it the other way, and i think i had it right the first time. it still ran, just a little worse. ill switch it back tomorrow and mess with it. im trying to sell ot trade it right now thoug. this car wont be reliable enough to get me to work and back.

i have someone with a 84 GTi that i might trade.

Project Cheap13

Are you sure the distributor is set in right? If it isnt you wont get full range of adjustment.

Heely

it will only go in one way

Project Cheap13

15 BTDC should be right in the middle of the adjustment hole. Meaning that you should be able to turn the dist the same distance either way to adv or retard the timing.


If you are looking at the dist from the drivers side. What are the locations of the plug wires?

war

I was reading my service manual some more today to try and make sure I got everything down before I start to take everything apart. I think I understand everything except the last part. It says in the book to make sure that the no.1 pistion is set at TDC and that the distributor rotor is set at no.1 cylinder spark position. How do i know if the distributor rotor is set at no.1 cylinder spark position. It never says in the instrutions for timing chain removal and install to remove the distributor. But the step right be checking the no1. piston and the distri. rotor it says to install distri. but never says to remove. Anything I should know about when removing the distri.?????

LTSCUDRFT

Project Cheap13
From YOUR) right side there will be 6 marks on the pulley They start at 5 deg ATDC( After top dead center) & got to 20deg BTDC( before top dead center). In 5 deg incriments. From 5ATDC, TDC(0 deg) 5,10,15 & 20 ATDC

you said it's from "your right" it's actually your left.

>5atdc
>0tdc
>5btdc
>10btdc
>15btdc < your needle should point here.
>20btdc


EDIT: WAR trace your #1 plug wire to you dist. that will tell you witch one is #1, then remove the cap and it should point at #1, watch out for the oil pump shaft it is attached to the dist. if it falls out or comes out you will have one hell of a time setting your timing.