Anyone know how to correct the timing?

[Pancor]

Hey guys.  Does anyone know how to check and make sure that the cars timing is correct?  I just reassembled my motor, and i'm getting fuel and spark, but no starting....  I'm 99% sure I installed the distributor correctly timed to fire Cyl #1 exactly at TDC, but it just won't work.   Any help would be appreciated.

[Replicant_S14]

Are you sure it's on the right stroke?

The piston will hit TDC twice in one cycle.

[Dousan_PG]

yeah. set your piston to top stroke (#1 piston i believe). then check your distributor make sure it isin the proper position

of course check all yours wires and plugs make sure its all good.

[Kreator]

First off, get the sparks and piston to meet at approximately the same time. Like what i did when i put the head back on. I took the spark plugs out, disconnected the fuel pump, put the wires on the metal (so they would spark), and then crank over the engine and adjust the distributor so that the spark would be at the same time the air would come out of the first cyllinder. After that you gotta figure out how the distributor shoudl go in (if i recall correctly it's only 180* rotation, so you would only have to check twice at most. Like replicant said, youd have it on one of the two. If it's on the wrong one,the car won't start). Start the car, get the timing gun out and see whatcha gettin.  Then adjust the time to whatever is needed (stock: 18-22 BTDC)Hope this helps

[Pancor]

yes!, thanks guys.    It was just set to TDC on the wrong stroke.  Now I've just got to reassemble everything, and she's back on the road!    I hate to ask another dumb question, but how do I fine tune the timing?

[Replicant_S14]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Pancor @ Nov. 15 2002,5:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> I hate to ask another dumb question, but how do I fine tune the timing?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
If my memory serves there's a pretty good FAQ on that at www.240sx.org

Also, another easy way to tell if you're on the right stroke is to pull the valve cover and look at the #1 valve set. If you're at TDC and they are all closed, your on the right stroke*.




*I have yet to take the valve cover off of my 240 so I'm just guessing that you can see this. I dunno, but It worked on the 35498672456 other cars I've worked on.