Ignition timing screwed up .... help

[Drift]

Hi, I messed up my ignition timing. I pulled out my distributor rotated the shaft and now the car wont start. Per FSM I rotated the crank pulley to the orange mark 2nd one from the left (others are white) the 0 TDC mark. Pulled out my distributor lined up the dot on the rotating part w/ the groove in the shaft, I even pulled off the cap to make sure that it was pointing to the number one plug. Attempt to start the car and it just turns over, no start. I've done this process several times to make sure I have the timing correct. The car start before I pulled it out the first time btw. I also check spark and fuel, both seem to be okay. Am I missing something, maybe I'm doing something wrong w/ the timing adjustment? Does anyone know what it is? I'm tired of driving my gf's jeep. =(

[:: orion ::]

I can almost gaurantee you need to move it one tooth to the left...i.e. counterclockwise.

The rotor should be PAST the #1 spot (b/c with the engine at TDC as it shuld be, you have already fired the plug 20 degrees ago...).

So pull it, rotate slightly counterclockwise, try again. While someone else tries to start the car, rotate the distributor both ways (fully) and see if that helps. You'll get it. If you need to rotate the distibutor fully one direction to get it where it tries to start, pull the distibur back out, move another tooth, and try again.

Hope that helps - Brian

[Asleep Altima]

stuff a rag down in the number one cylinder spark plug tube and slowly bump the ignition . when the rag gets blown out, you will be on the compression stroke for that piston. then, with a long screwdriver inserted in the hole, slowly, by hand, crank the engine back and forth until the piston is at its peak. now pull the distributor cap and see how far from the number one spark plug wire you are. if its past the plug, you will need to retard/advance the distributor as orion was saying. this is a very simple method for checking your timing manually.

[Drift]

So are you saying the mixture is ignited before the cylinder is fully compressed (at TDC)? If that's the case, I'd prefer to adjust the piston positioning using the crank lines and adjust the distributor using the notch/groove on the distributor because I'm able to be more accurate that way. So then ?'s:

Which way does the crank rotate? Which marks should I use to get the timing adjusted like you say for 20 degress BTDC? or is it after?Can you tell me how to get my timing right on using those methods?

Thanks in Advance

[Asleep Altima]

yes, the mixture is ignited 20 degrees before top dead center. otherwise it would ignite too late and you would get LESS power. the crank rotates (standing in front of the engine) to the right or clockwise. you should adjust the timing to the LAST mark on the pulley to the right. that would be 20 degrees. the way you are describing will get you very close and a timing light will get you on the money. this should help you understand what im talking about... Timing a ka24de good luck. email me if you have any problems.

[Drift]

Hey, what the FAQ shows and what you guys are saying is contradictory. It states to have the rotor point to distributor #1 when the engine is at TDC. You're telling me to have the rotor pointing to #1 when the engine is 20 deg BTDC. Could you explain further?

[Asleep Altima]

ok... the faq is showing you how to set base timing. im showing you how to set it very close to 20. setting it to the faq is the best way to do it for lets say, removing the cams. you would still need to set it to 20 with a timing light once the engine was running again.

[Drift]

Ill try it tomorrow morning and let you know how it goes // thanx

[Drift]

Update: New cap and rotor. First tested spark from coil. Good. Tested spark to each plug using its wire. Good. Fuel always wetting my plugs. Good. Now I lifted off the valve cover rotated crank to 20 degrees BTDC, had distributor point to plug one. ?'s:

Both cam lobes were pointing away from engine, is this TDC for COMPRESSION stroke? I turn her over and still no start, I HATE IGNITION TIMING! Can someone please tell me what I'm still doing wrong? :help :help :help :help :help I'm just so frustrated, I want to drive my fawking car ...

I appreciate your help fellas/gals ....

[Asleep Altima]

sounds good so far. the lobes should point away the way they are now. your cam position sensor could be bad too though... this is gonna sound just like another thread now, lol. check underneath the pickup in the distributor for oil. im not sure if your cam position sensor is in the same place as mine. if it is and theres oil in there, the distributor wont work.