URGENT!!! I effed up my KA's timing

[mkory]

So I finally decided to fix this infamous timing chain rattle. Man, were these guides scraped all to hell. ..Damn you Nissan.

So I DON'T set the motor at TDC thinking nothing will move. Pull off the valve cover, then distributer, and finally upper timing chain cover. Take off the two guides, and put everything back together. After letting the liquid gasket dry, I go to start it. I hear a few bursts, the car is VERY rough, and dies. Somehow the distributer must have moved.

So setting the motor at TDC only means turning it by hand till the little nubbin matches up with the next to furthest mark to the left on the pully. Setting the distributer at TDC means lining up the marks on the end of it.

Here's my question. Has any damage prolly been done due to the ignition timing being off? I took the distributer cap off before doing anything to the motor so I could mark where everything was. The little rotating piece came off at this time. I put it back on like I thought it came off, but I may have put it on wrong. This should line up with the #1 plug wire when the marks on the end of the distributer are lined up, correct? Finally, should I really set the motor at TDC and line up the marks on the distributer? Shouldn't I set the motor at 20* BTDC and line up the marks on the distributer.

[Red coupe]

lol if it didnt run to long your probably not to bad, but your gonna need a timing gun to set it properly.TRy leaving it in like it is now, and setting it with a timing gun to 20 degrees BTDC...If you cant turn the distributer enough then pull it out and re alight the teath...since the distributer gear is a helical gear it turns a litle bit when you stick the distribute in(take the cap off and watch, try to get an idea of how much it turns...then set the engine to 20 before top dead center compression stroke and put the distrubtor in so the rotor is at cylider 1 with the gears fully meshed

[ILikeMy240sx]

See if my guide will help you.... Click on the picture in my sig.

I am assuming that you have read it maybe? I would suggest taking the valve cover off and rotate the crank at TDC (make sure intake and exhaust cam lobe is facing the opposite way on the #1 cylinder) and then take your distributor cap off to make sure that it is where its supposed to be. There is a picture of that in the guide. Also, make sure your plugs are in the right place at the distributor.

[mkory]

So I set the crank pulley at TDC and line up the marks on the distributer? Will this set the timing at 20* BTDC?

[ILikeMy240sx]

Well, setting it at TDC just makes installing things easier because you know where how everything is supposed to be oriented. For example, at TDC you know where cams are supposed to be, distributor rotor position, etc. So setting it at TDC will make sure everything is installed correctly.

As for 20 deg BTDC you need to adjust the position of the distributor after making sure everything is installed the way its supposed to be. You would need a timing light for this.

As for your situation now, you might have installed everything correctly but timing is off or things are not installed correctly and your timing is really off. I suggest going back to make sure everything is installed correctly by setting at TDC then with your timing light set your distributor.

[pseudo]

I guess I got lucky. I just got out of the shower after cleaning up from removing my chain guides. I didn't bother with the timing stuff at all. I just marked my distributor in two places on opposite sides to make sure I put it back in the same place.

She runs great now, and doesn't sound like she's shaking a can of spray paint.

Sorry to hear your job went sour.

[mkory]

So in setting the motor at TDC and lining up the marks on the distributer, the distributer will be firing at TDC. Then, when I start the car, with the throttle position sensor un plugged, and shooting a timing light at the crank pulley, the adjustment by turning the distributer is enough to advance the timing by 20*? I didn't think I could advance/retard the timing that much just be turning the distributer. Maybe 5 degrees, but not 20.

[ILikeMy240sx]

installing components on TDC doesnt mean you are setting your timing at 0 deg BTDC. Assuming you installed everything correctly at TDC, when you turn the engine over and measure the timing at idle(700+- 50), it should be close to 20 BTDC not 0 deg BTDC.

[InsanityInc]

stop the engine, remove the distributor. Take off the cap. Set the crank to 20BDTC. Put the dist back in with the rotor pointing at the number 1 plug connection. Voila.

[ILikeMy240sx]

no no no no....

#1 plug should be lining up with the rotor at TDC not at 20* TDC

[mkory]

Okay... crank pulley at TDC (next to furthest left mark when looking at it). Marks on distributer lining up and rotor inline with the #1 plug wire. Put everything back together, and timing is now set at 20* BTDC or there abouts (with a little movement due to helical gears. Get a timing light to fine tune by loosening the distributer bolts and turning it a little. (done while the car is running and with TPS unplugged. Set it, tighten down, and plug sensor back in.

BTW... My timing chain guides are 394024838593 times worse than yours.
Modified by mkory at 5:50 PM 8/6/2005

[mkory]

Which plug is the throttle position sensor? I see a lot of different plugs near the TB and a lot of them are zip tied to the radiator hose.

[Red coupe]

[Red coupe]

no no no no....

#1 plug should be lining up with the rotor at TDC not at 20* TDC

umm when the rotor lines up it will spark, spark is supposed to happen @ 20*.If the engine is on TDC the rotor should be slightly passed #1....but as long as he is close it doesnt realy matter, as he is adjusting it more later...

[mkory]

Okay, so I set the motor at TDC, and pullled the dist. Lined up the notches, put it back in... and nothing. Set the motor again and pulled the dist., this time pulling the distributer cap off. That is when I remembered that last night in taking the distributer off the rotating piece came off as well. That was the problem. It goes on in one of 3 positions, and mine was at 2/3rds instead of right on, lining up with #1. Popped everything back in and it worked beautifully. Didn't even have to mess with the TPS, which thrilled me to no end, considering how close to the fan that is. Thanks for all you guys's help.

Damn it sounds good without that rattle, let's just hope the liquid gaskit was enough and put on right.

[Red coupe]

well If you didnt set the timing you still realy should do that as an added precausion you dont want to find out later on that it pings under a heavy load or be missing out on any power...

[fatboy]

be sure you're not 180 out

[Bronze MFP]

i did the same damn thing when I took my lower guide off. Started the car and it ran like complete ***. The liquid gasket worked good for me. It actually stopped a slow leak I had before. Double check the timing and you'll be golden

[ILikeMy240sx]

umm when the rotor lines up it will spark, spark is supposed to happen @ 20*.If the engine is on TDC the rotor should be slightly passed #1....but as long as he is close it doesnt realy matter, as he is adjusting it more later...

If you line up your #1 plug with your rotor at 20 deg then when you're idling you will be running 40 deg BTDC not 20.