Timing question:

[JamesT]

I'm in the middle of a head gasket change... which is going fine, however the timing chain, sprockets, and cams were not marked when they were taken apart. I don't believe the engine is set to top dead center either.

What procedure do you need to take to set the timing of the car correctly without a base to start from? I'm pretty clueless when it comes to this, and I'm just wishing that things were taken apart correctly to begin with.

My first post here, thanks for any help in advance.

[9240sx]

What engine?

[JamesT]

Sorry about that. It's a 1992 KA24-DE.

We're replacing the timing chain while we're in there, and it's all been pulled out already.

[DAEDALUS]

Do you have the front cover off? It's the only way to be certain of the timing, by lining the links with the sprockets.

[JamesT]

Yep, front cover is already off.

[bendychicken]

I'm in the same boat. I kinda fudged the timing based of off the pics on the pictures in the KA forum. The problem i'm having is I cant get the distributer set right. After I get her started up if I twist the dist. all the way to the right the timing light reads like 13 deg BTDC. Soooooo, is there any way to get it right without tearing the whole thing down again. The FSM has offered me little help with this problem other than telling me to line up the mating marks on the chains(duh). The trouble is this is an S13 KA24DE andand I'm using an S14 cam for my intake cam. This cam is painted green. But I suspect it is actually an exhaust cam because when I lined up the mating marks and turned the engine over(by hand) the piston and valves hit.

Also, does any one have any experiance with removal of the EGR? I just capped it off at both ends, but i'm getting some white smoke out of the exhaust. Not a terrible amount, but it is there. Is this related to the EGR not being there? I heard some talk a while back that removing the EGR would cause it to run rich. I just hope it's not coolant in the chamber.

Any input any one?