M30 Timing Problems

[kruegs74]

OK I finally got the other motor in my 91 m30, it was a junkyard motor and they gave me everything but the distributor. I initaily timed it at 0 thinking I would just play with it from there. The first time I knew I was 180 off so I changed it and now im just getting a popping out the exhaust. Im with out a timing light for a couple of days also. It also says it needs to be set at 15 degrees but I dont know what incriments the timing marks go in. Usually the would be in 2s but there is only 5 marks BTDC. Im confused! Almost forgot, on the rotor it says "screw", am I suposed to line the rotor up with the screw. If so which one, the one inside the cap or outside. I already tried both.

[M30 Steve]

Hello Kruegs,

The screw notation on the rotor is just a reminder not to pull on the rotor, it has nothing to do with distributor location. To install the dist. remove all 6 plugs, turn the engine to TDC #1. It will be on the compression stroke when the timing mark lines up. Align the two marks on the bottom of the dist. below the drive gear and on the hosing. Drop the dist. in so that the rotor points between 11 and 12 o-clock position(facing the dist,standing at driver side fender). This info is on page em-37 of the FSM if you have one.

The car should start now, you will need to set the timing with a light. The marks on the pulley are 5 degress each, timing spec is 15 deg BTDC +or- 2 deg. Sorry I don't have a scanner to send the FSM pages. If you have trouble I can fax them to you?

Good Luck, Steve