Please need help setting physical timing on my 240.....

[amolao]

I noticed in the past that my car can get the timing right while looking in the pulley and using a timing light( It runs really slow and weak when the timing is "set" correctly) My car had the timing chain redone some time in the past and I think my mechanic didnt set the dsitributor or pulley the right way...something is out of whack!! Now Im redoing the timing chain (started rattling again) and while aligning the engine to TDC something just dont look right.... Here are my questions (maybe be easier to understand);

When the engine is in TDC, the rotor should be on cylinder 1????or turn 360 degrees again....but it should be on cylinder 1, right??

When the engine is in TDC whats the actual position of the distributor??Should it be in middle position??? To be able to adjust either way???

I just want to make sure I check the default timing positiona and make sure that the pulley is on the right marking.......sorry If I confused anybody...

thanks

[180fan]

what year is your motor?

[amolao]

sorry,.

1989, SOHC

[frapjap]

"When the engine is in TDC, the rotor should be on cylinder 1????or turn 360 degrees again....but it should be on cylinder 1, right??"

Yes, rotor SHOULD be on cylinder 1. If not, turn the crank 180 degrees, not 360, 360 will bring you back to where you started. If the distributor still isn't on cyl 1, then something is wrong. Take off the valve colver and see the position of the dots on the cam gears at TDC. I believe they should be 11 and 1, intake and exhaust respectively. *Consult a search for a positive on that* It will also give you further information on how to fix the problem.

"When the engine is in TDC whats the actual position of the distributor?"

At TDC the distributor should be pointed at cylinder one.

"Should it be in middle position??? To be able to adjust either way???"

No, it shouldn't be in middle position. There may still be play, but if you can't make it line up, then try the next possible solution (go down)

"I just want to make sure I check the default timing positiona and make sure that the pulley is on the right marking.......sorry If I confused anybody..."

Make that your last resort. I had a similar problem to you and my distributor was 180'd out. Try taking the plug wire from cyl 1 and put it into cyl 4, and vise versa. Its a common problem that may be the solution for you.

[amolao]

Hey thanks for the info, but something else I was wondering,

If I check this things: rotor on cylinder 1piston 1 on up positioncams on correct position (still checking on this...)IF the pulley is not on the TDC marking, can I loosen it up and rotate to pulley to set it at TDC marking?????

I guess my question is: Is the pulley adjustable at all???

Sorry about the inquiries, I want to make sure I get this right and never mess it again.....

[frapjap]

"If I check this things: rotor on cylinder 1piston 1 on up positioncams on correct position (still checking on this...)IF the pulley is not on the TDC marking, can I loosen it up and rotate to pulley to set it at TDC marking?????" If the pulley isn't at tdc marking, then you could try turning the crank once more to tdc and see if its set right after that.

"I guess my question is: Is the pulley adjustable at all???" Yes, you can adjust it, but that involves taking the timing chain off and turning the cam gears where they're supposed to be (the degrees), and making sure everything already covered is redone again. Essentaily its your own timing job that you could pay hundreds of dollars for.

Get a Chiltons for the year 240 you have and follow the directions. They're step by step and straight forward and include tips like "putting a paperclip between the rim and the chain so it doesn't drop." The book is the *best and most cost efficient* since theres always a marginal chance of error in the procedure that I or anyone else can give you; and you get to learn yourself.

[amolao]

Yes im in the middle of putting a new chain in, so is already open. Thats the reason Im checking all this things now is the best time. Im using an FSM, will have to look up the alignment of the cams if is in there. And then check everything else.....

thanks