Confusion with setting timing

[robbbby]

Alright I know this has been asked and answered many times but everywhere I read I hear different things.

I have been TRYING to set my timing by the method covered on phase2's site by removing the CAS and lining up the yellow dot with the mating mark. My question is when you put the CAS back in what marking is the crank pulley supposed to be lined up with?Phase2 says second from the left but from what I have read that would be 0 degrees since the marks on the crank pulley read as such from left to right

-5, 0 (yellow mark), 5, 10. 15, 20

If you set piston one to TDC it lines up with the 0 degree mark (2nd from left) will this set it to 15 degrees even though it is on the 0 degree mark? I have read elsewhere to set it up 2nd from right which would be the 15 degree mark. Can someone please clear up what marking im supposed to use and what position the 1st piston is supposed to be at when I put the CAS back in to set my timing to 15 degrees?

[SpeedRacer1]

Honostly it doesnt really matter because you can turn the CAS anyway. You are supposed to line the outside dot with the inside one, leaving the yellow mark as odd man out. Theoretically when you slip the CAS in, it automatically turns the yellow dot to line up with the mating mark. This can be confirmed by looking at the dots with the valve cover off.

[SpeedRacer1]

[robbbby]

Ya, I understand about putting the CAS in and which marks to line it up with. I am confused on which mark on the crank pulley it should be set at when you put the CAS back in, I have heard second from left and second from right.

[SWIFT_DRIFT]

Or you can take out your #1 spark plug, bend over with your head and watch as the #1 piston moves up and down to TDC as you manually crank the motor. When you are satisfied it's at TDC, look and notice what mark it is at on the crank. Now, reset the CAS and slide it back in. Hooray.

[robbbby]

That is what I did but wasn't sure if the timing was at 15 degrees since when the #1 piston is at TDC it lines up with the 0 degree mark on the crank pulley.

[SpeedRacer1]

That is why once you turn the crank and put the CAS in, you STILL have to redo the timing by turning the CAS. It will not be perfect no matter how you put it in. Putting it to TDC and lining up the marks will get you close enough so that you know that your not like 180 degrees off. Start the car and turn the CAS until you think your at 15 degrees. I did mine by ear actually by listening to the misfires and I got 15 to 17 degrees all by myself.

[ride4lame]

I have to take off the valve cover to sheck the timming...but I don't have a valve cover gasket. is there a USDM version i can use? its not in the parts stickey..thanks very much all

[Cyberkreig]

I dont know of a USDM replacement.. but i just reused mine.. maybe that is the wrong thing to do? It is a nice rubber thing, and it didnt look weak or dry rotted so..

[SpeedRacer1]

It can be reused until you see cracks emerge.

[NY S13 SR]

If it is still unclear:

The CAS is installed when the crank pulley is at 0 degrees (2nd from left).

Timing is set by rotating CAS until timing light shows 15 degrees (2nd from right)

Jeff Hheavythrottle.com