Check My Timing ??

[BryantZamora]

I'm doing a headgasket job so I put the engine at TDC and got these markings. They seem to put spot on but the yellow marking seems to be throwing me off. Is that positioned correctly? I want to make sure the timing is correct as is before I take it off so just incase its not then remember to asjust it properly.

[Lobo240sx]

Seems fine to me? Mark all the dots with your red/yellow marker according to the position of the chains. Take more pics if you need to. There should be some Youtube Vids on removing and reinstalling the KA head after your machine shop work.

[BryantZamora]

So that yellow link is okay to be placed there ? I usually see them placed somewhere else

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Once the engine has been rotated, it'll be forever before the marks on the chain and the engine line back up. Its pretty much only used for initial setting of the timing, like when you've got the whole engine torn down and have access to the crank sprocket all the way up to the cams... otherwise they don't mean much.

I just set the lobes between 9 and 10 for the intake side, and 2 and 3 for the exhaust side... so yours looks correct.

[BryantZamora]

So I got it all back in can you guys double check this for me ?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Show me the lobes man!!!

[BryantZamora]

damn man didnt get to take a picture of them but they were positioned like the first picture I took

[BryantZamora]

actually wait !!! I do have a picture im so glad lol.
how do they look??

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Looks good!

[frapjap]

actually wait !!! I do have a picture im so glad lol.
how do they look??

I just set the lobes between 9 and 10 for the exhaust side, and 2 and 3 for the intake side... so yours looks correct.

The photo looks opposite based on the advice.
However, the photo is correct and the timing marks on the cam gears are correct. At TDC, Intake Cam is at 12 o’clock, Exhaust Cam is at 1 o’clock.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yeah I meant 9 and 10 for intake side, 2 and 3 for exhaust. I'll go back and edit that post.

What pic are you looking at with the 12 and 1 o clock positions? Are you not looking at cylinder #1?

[frapjap]

Yeah I meant 9 and 10 for intake side, 2 and 3 for exhaust. I'll go back and edit that post.

What pic are you looking at with the 12 and 1 o clock positions? Are you not looking at cylinder #1?

Looking at the circle indentation marks on the cam gears, specifically, not the orientation of the lobes.
Not sure how reliable they are, but seems to match up alright with your recommendation. I remember doing it by the marks when I times my KA ages ago.

[BryantZamora]

My car seems to be cranking but just won't start. I've set the Dizzy correctely and no luck,i've tried moving the dizzy back and fourth while starting it and no luck. ive also tried changing the spark plug wire order just incase I mixed them up and nothing.I've double checked through my whole harness and everything seems to be plugged up. It Just cranks and cranks but nothing wont fire up.
Are you guys sure that the timing I have in those photos are correct or should those cirle marks be on the yellow links ?

[frapjap]

The links don't mean much of anything as long as the cams are set right.

Are you certain that you're at TDC? This will be easy to do with the valve cover off. It'll look like you have it: Intake Cam is at 12 o’clock, Exhaust Cam is at 1 o’clock.

1) Crank your motor by hand to TDC (top dead center). Be sure that it is at TDC by putting a dipstick or other thin, straight object in the spark plug hole and waiting for it to pop up at the top and check your cam alignment.

2) After this, simply unbolt and pull out the distributor CAREFULLY (DONT STRIP THOSE TEETH!), and see where the rotor is positioned and set the rotor to cylinder 1. Mark it with a grease marker to make sure it isn’t spinning badly in the process.

3) Reinstall the distributor. It may take a few times, but don’t get frustrated about it, it will come out right. If it doesn’t work, crank the motor to TDC one more time and try again.

4) If that STILL doesn’t work, the distributor may be 180’d out. The simple way to fix this is to move plug wire 1 to plug wire 4 and vice versa. Just don’t forget that you did it!!!!!


There is also a ground on the back of the head or valve cover gasket that a lot of folks forget to hook up. Look for that, too.

If it still isn't working, go with the tired and true standby of diagnosing.
Air/Fuel/Spark
An engine needs air, fuel, and ignition to run.

Air- does the throttle open? Check for vacuum leaks while the engine is running.

Fuel- Confirm that you have it either by listening to the fuel pump prime with the key in the on position. If you hear that, confirm fuel delivery by pulling an injector and watching it run. You can also change the fuel filter if you haven't already. If you don't think you're getting fuel, try adding some through a vacuum line or using starting fluid sprayed into the throttle body. If it cranks right up, you have a fuel problem.

Spark- Test for spark by pulling out a plug wire boot and set it on top of the valve cover (away from other wires or anything flammable or electrical) and have someone crank the engine over. If you have spark, you should be able to literally see it arcing as it grounds out.

If you verify both fuel and spark, make sure you aren't getting TOO much fuel by pulling the fuel pump fuse and cranking for a while. If it starts up after a bit, you know you were flooding.

[BryantZamora]

i'm pretty sure it is at TDC but I can double check, I set it on the top second mark on the crank pulley.
I also am sure I had the dizzy set correclty but I can always try again. I did move the spark plug wire order like you said to just incase it was 180'd out and it still didnt work maybe I didnt put it back at TDC i'll retry again later.
I do have the ground hooked up, on the driver side near the egr bolt correct?
I don't smell any funky smells such as fuel at any point.

I will check for spark later today aswell.
as well as fuel. I pulled the plugs and they were dry.
I thought maybe i got the fuel lines backwards but I couldnt find a picture of how they properly go on. I pulled both hoses and fuel sprayed out of one.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I'd try what Ray said. By far the easiest is adding your own fuel (starting fluid, or straight fuel) just to see if it will start.
A non-running engine is a deep rabbit hole... you should always try the simple stuff first, especially if you are questioning your fuel lines. They should be easy enough to swap around too...

[BryantZamora]

turned out to be that I had my fuel lines in backwards lol. I spent all day and that really slipped my mind, oh well glad it works now lol
thanks everyone

[Lobo240sx]

turned out to be that I had my fuel lines in backwards lol. I spent all day and that really slipped my mind, oh well glad it works now lol
thanks everyone

That's a very common thing on these cars. Glad you got it running.

[frapjap]

Glad it was that simple!

Enjoy the car!