trying to set ignition timing...but have problem...any help?

[josephg15]

im tring to set my ignition timing in my sr20 redtop. i did a search and found a site at frsport.com but its saying to line up both dots on the cam sprocket with the dark black chain links. Im not seeing any dark black chain links on my chain, i only have one GOLD chain link. where do i line this up with if i dont have the two black chain links? anyone? thanks

[vutony]

there are 3 identifiable links, 2 up top to the cam gears and 1 down at the crank

give manually cranking it till you see two links lining up with the cam gears

[josephg15]

the only different link i have on my timing chain is one gold link... i dont know why i dont have 2 dark black links...i only have one gold one...where should it be lined up at?

[efrain240sx]

here man maybe these will help you http://i147.photobucket.com/al...n.jpg

[Hijacker]

they should be silver links. not dark links. and over time, those silver links tend to discolor. just turn your motor over till the gold link lines up with your crank mark and then note the top two links at the cam marks.

now, you're going through all this and you say you're setting ignition timing. obviously you mean cam timing, but i thought i'd just point that out for ya.

[josephg15]

thanks for the pics...im gonna see whats up in the next couple of days due to time...but let me add i am trying to do this with only the valve cover off...so i can only see the cam sprockets not the crank sprocket.

[S14-NEO]

here this is what you wanted to know...just put the crank on TDC and do exactly like this:

SR20DET Camshaft Installation Procedure

Set crank to top dead center (TDC)…2nd mark from the left on the pulley. With the #1 cam lobes facing away from each other.Remove tensioner.Look at the front of the exhaust cam. You will see that there is a pin that locks the cam to the gear. You will also see a dot stamped into the cam gear at approximately 1 O’clock. This dot is used to mark tooth #1.Starting from exhaust cam tooth #1 count (clockwise) the number of teeth until the top surface of the head. The head should be between 8 and 9 teeth.Adjust cam position as necessary.Find the DOT on intake cam. Once again this is tooth #1. Count COUNTER-clockwise to the top of the head. You should find that the top of the head should be between 4½ and 5½ teeth. Adjust as necessary.Count the number of chain pins between the 2 dots across the top. You should count 20 pins.Install tensioner. Rotate engine 2 full turns and slowly bring it back to TDC ( #1 lobes out) Re-inspect cam position as listed above. Repeat if necessary.Install CAS according to FSM procedure.

[josephg15]

can this be done with the motor in the engine bay and with only the valve cover off?

[S14-NEO]

sure it can be done with the engine in the car..just need the valve cover off is all.