Timing Marks

[mchalem89]

Happy New Year!

I'm trying to get the timing right on my 1980 FI. Can someone please look at the images to see if the marks seem to be aligned properly? What is shown should be 0 degrees BTDC.

If this checks out then I need to move on to making adjustments to the distributor. The car runs but it is really hard to start after it is warmed up. Almost to the point where you think the battery is dead. The timing issue i'm having prevents me from going anywhere with the car because it is almost impossible to start unless it sits for hours. Any suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M ... directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/t ... directlink

[azruss]

your cam timing is correct. the big tooth on the crank pulley is TDC. The dizzy should be set to fire on plug 4. You should also have some advance on the dizzy as well. 10 BTDC. check to make sure you vaccuum advance is moving freely and the mechanical weight advances are moving and returning properly.

[So Cal Mark]

if it cranks slowly when hot, you may have a bad starter or a voltage drop between the battery and starter

[srwilson]

your cam timing is correct. the big tooth on the crank pulley is TDC. The dizzy should be set to fire on plug 4. You should also have some advance on the dizzy as well. 10 BTDC. check to make sure you vaccuum advance is moving freely and the mechanical weight advances are moving and returning properly.

How did you determine the cam timing was correct? Not saying you're wrong but I can't see the holes in the pulleys.

There is also two holes in the black metal shield behind the pulleys that if you remove the rubber plugs you can see the alignment marks for each of the pulleys.

[narfire]

Timing marks as mentioned are good to go.
You will notice on the back of the cam wheels the two holes should be lining up with the raised ribs on the front of the cam tower. If you are a tooth out, you will notice the holes not exactly linning up, car will run but not as great as when the holes are closest to the raised ribs.
Did you take the dist out for any reason? Should be lined up otherwise I'd think. Do pop the dist cap off and check though.
If you look on the bottom of the aluminium base,(where dist sits)you might see a notch in the ring . Line this notch up with the back of the rotor and the front of the rotor should be lined up with #4 in the cap.
I trust you have a timing light connected to #4 plug leed?
If the timing is set and then it s still hard to start, then Mark's suggestion is your next issue.

[srwilson]

I'm sorry but how from the second picture are you able to determine the cam timing is correct?

I'm not disagreeing but I'm not seeing any marks in the picture that would indicate the timing to be correct ( I can't see the holes). Actually to the contrary. On the intake cam pulley I see a red mark and I also see a red mark on the metal cover. These do not line up. Now it is hard to say if these marks coinside with the engine's number 4 piston being TDC, but...

I'm not saying its not timed correctly, I'm just puzzled how you guys came to the conclusion that the cam timings are correct. I guess I'm not seeing it.

I also noticed there is no outside flange on the exahust pulley. Mine does. Is this normal?

Just trying to learn somthing

[narfire]

I'd be hoping the timing pointer has covered the holes on the cam wheels.
I like using the backs of the cam wheels and the raised ribs on the cam towers.

[srwilson]

I'd be hoping the timing pointer has covered the holes on the cam wheels.
I like using the backs of the cam wheels and the raised ribs on the cam towers.

That is what I was looking for. I guess it's possible the pointers are covering the holes, I just couldn't see any holes And the rag is hiding part of the pulley, plus the red dot and marks weren't lining up, and one of the pulleys is missing a flange.

I think it best, like you said, to check through the viewing hole on the back of the cam shield.

I just thought you guys were seeing something I didn't see. I guess the difference is you guys assumed since you couldn't see holes they were being covered by the pointers. Which if they are then I would agree the cam timing is correct.

Ok sorry to high-jack

[mchalem89]

Thanks for all the feedback. Even though it seems ok I need to pull out the rubber plugs behind the pulleys to double check the cam timing. I'm going to button everything up and put the timing light on it again. Is it normal for the timing mark to be jumping around when you check the timing with the light? It never seems to be in the same spot. I'm pretty sure thats why the timing might be off to begin with. Also, is it difficult to check the advance?

[azruss]

the timing mark placement with a light should be pretty steady. If your RPMs are jumping around, the timing will as well. the only thing the light is telling you is when the plug gets a spark in relation to the crankshaft. if your dizzy is old and tired, plugs not getting a good fire, advance not working properly could all lead to the timing jumping around. you can seat-of-the -pants check your advance with the light. As you increase RPMs the light should move more advanced.

[mchalem89]

That's a big help! I'm going to start putting everything back together and see what happens. I'll report back with more details after I get through the timing portion. I started all of this because of how difficult it is to crank.