KA24DE: Timing Issue

[Jumpman31]

So yesterday my car was starting fine, just running really rich. I checked my timing and discovered that it was way off- for some reason it was still starting. And when I say way off I mean +25 BTDC. So my bright idea was to set the cams and the distributor at TDC and just adjust from there. I have searched and googled, and found the how-to's and followed them. I'm not sure where I'm going wrong. I guess what I'm looking for is maybe a confirmation that I'm doing mostly right and maybe a diagnoses of what I'm missing. Here's what I've been doing so far:

1. Just as a background, the distributor and plug #1 are pulled.
2. To make sure the engine is on compression stroke, I replace plug wire #1 without the plug, and crank the engine until the plug pops out.
3. Using a 27mm socket, I turn the crankshaft clockwise until it lands on the second timing mark from the left (TDC).
4. To set the distributor on TDC, turn until the rotor is pointing toward plug #1.
5. Replace distributor/plug wires.
6. Turn engine over while moving distributor to at least get the engine running.
7. I haven't gotten here yet, but once I do, I'll run the engine with a timing light to set at 20* BTDC.
Comments?

[NoPistons!]

That's how i've done mine over and over again. When funds allow, miata or dsm trigger wheel+megasquirt+gm coils=bye bye clusterfuck lame spec ignition.

I've played with my distributor so much i almost beat it out of the front cover with a hammer. HATE adjusting/setting those damn things.


But, you're doing it right. I have the distributor trigger (whatever it's called) pointed between cyl 1 and 3 but closer to 1 and cranked to full advance and it runs ok there but my engine and your engine aren't the same so what works for me probably wont work for you.