Timing marks, where?

[shoggyraminator]

Hello All, Can anyone advise on my timing questions. Tried the search facility, but it appears to be stuffed at the mo.

1)Where are the timing marks as I can't see them anywhere around the pulley area? Mind you it's not easy to see with the bonnet on.
2) Is there a mark for 4deg BTDC and if so which one?
3)Can you set the timing with the bonnet on?

Regards

[wooly350i]

Two bolts and unclip the gas struts, take the bonnet off then you can see what ya doing,just borrow the wife or someone else's wife to lift off the bonnet.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Should be on the 1/2" wide flat part of the pulley, should have TDC and then lines upto 20 deg BTDC.
You may want to use a piston stop to make sure the TDC is right.

Google search piston stop for more info.

[adam quantrill]

Luckily your profile reveals you have a V8, so I can stick my oar in.

The timong marks are indeed on the front pulley, no need to remove the bonnet to see them.

I get a bit of white paint on my thumb and wipe across the marks, makes them easier to see.

[shoggyraminator]

OK guys, thanks for the replies. Now I've finished sticking the plenum and and other bits back together, so I'll take another look this morning and maybe borrow the wife's "poncy" mirror and get a better look. Don't want to take the bonnet of if I can help it as the wet stuff keeps coming down and I'm stuck outside at the moment. Cheers.

[Tasmindevil]

shoggyraminator said:

OK guys, thanks for the replies. Now I've finished sticking the plenum and and other bits back together, so I'll take another look this morning and maybe borrow the wife's "poncy" mirror and get a better look. Don't want to take the bonnet of if I can help it as the wet stuff keeps coming down and I'm stuck outside at the moment. Cheers.

I would suggest and to be positive about TDC I would line up number 1 piston with the pulley, seems a lot of hassle but took some advice from other PHer's and did his to mine, TDC was over 4 degrees out. Using a dial test indicator down the bore I rotated the engine zeroed, then a few more times to be check, remarked the pulley and then set the car up. You will certainly notice the difference and worth the effort!! the bible say's that timing marks can be dubious
Cheers

[shoggyraminator]

Tasmindevil said:

I would suggest and to be positive about TDC I would line up number 1 piston with the pulley, seems a lot of hassle but took some advice from other PHer's and did his to mine, TDC was over 4 degrees out. Using a dial test indicator down the bore I rotated the engine zeroed, then a few more times to be check, remarked the pulley and then set the car up. You will certainly notice the difference and worth the effort!! the bible say's that timing marks can be dubious
Cheers

Found the marks, easy when you know where to look. I've now read a few threads talking about checking TDC is TDC, so think I'll be safe and sure and check this first. Ah well, that means the timing will have to wait for another day as I wanting to bleed my brakes today after replacing the master cylender. Cheers.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Tasmindevil said:

I would suggest and to be positive about TDC I would line up number 1 piston with the pulley, seems a lot of hassle but took some advice from other PHer's and did his to mine, TDC was over 4 degrees out. Using a dial test indicator down the bore I rotated the engine zeroed, then a few more times to be check, remarked the pulley and then set the car up. You will certainly notice the difference and worth the effort!! the bible say's that timing marks can be dubious
Cheers

As said about if you not got a dial gauge then use a piston stop, a lot of people say it's easier then a dial gauge as with a dial gauge you can have 1-2 deg of dead spot.

[shoggyraminator]

I've hollowed out one of the old plugs and attached a long pipe to the end. I'm going to form a trap/loop with the pipe and fill with some water, so this will rise and fall when TDC approaches and passes. Cost me nothing and will be very accurate. Hopefully!

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

shoggyraminator said:

I've hollowed out one of the old plugs and attached a long pipe to the end. I'm going to form a trap/loop with the pipe and fill with some water, so this will rise and fall when TDC approaches and passes. Cost me nothing and will be very accurate. Hopefully!

Just hollow the plug and put a bolt thought it, to make a stop, the problem with your way and using a dial gauge, you will get a large dead spot. a piston stop avoids this.

[shoggyraminator]

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

shoggyraminator said:

I've hollowed out one of the old plugs and attached a long pipe to the end. I'm going to form a trap/loop with the pipe and fill with some water, so this will rise and fall when TDC approaches and passes. Cost me nothing and will be very accurate. Hopefully!

Just hollow the plug and put a bolt thought it, to make a stop, the problem with your way and using a dial gauge, you will get a large dead spot. a piston stop avoids this.

Hello Leigh,

I must be having a dim moment , but I can't see how using a bolt throught plug (as a piston stop) is going to be any better. How will this avoid such a dead spot at TDC? I would have thought watching the water fall and rise would have given a more accurate reading. Obvious to say I#ve never used a piston stop before.

Regards Andy.

[GV]

Make sure you are on the right piston stroke when setting TDC unlike me who tried setting up TDC on the exhaust instead of the compression stroke.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

shoggyraminator said:

Hello Leigh,

I must be having a dim moment , but I can't see how using a bolt throught plug (as a piston stop) is going to be any better. How will this avoid such a dead spot at TDC? I would have thought watching the water fall and rise would have given a more accurate reading. Obvious to say I#ve never used a piston stop before.

Regards Andy.

With a piston stop you mark the pulley clockwise and anticlockwise, you them the TDC will be in-between the too marks. this avoids the dead spot.

Google piston stop if you want more info.

[adam quantrill]

Tasmindevil said:

I would suggest and to be positive about TDC I would line up number 1 piston with the pulley, seems a lot of hassle but took some advice from other PHer's and did his to mine, TDC was over 4 degrees out.... timing marks can be dubious
Cheers

Maybe the marks were in the right place, but the pointer was bent??? _Really_ bent?? ;^)