Timing marks and timing belt replacement

Hi bnetwork,

Number one should be used as it corresponds with the distributor timing.

The actual firing of the distributor should be six degrees before TDC.

To adjust the static timing, after installation of the timing belt, turn the crank pulley mark to six degrees and loosen the distributor and turn it to ignite and re-tighten. Note the distributor rotation.

Thank you for the fast response.
As crank pulley gear clock wise, I suppose I should turn it six degrees back, i.e. counter clockwise, correct?

Well, at least I can see carburetor "sucking" air and fuel mixture when I sync using "1" position: sign of the correct timing, IMHO?

My local mechanic already messed with distributor, trying to find the correct position. I guess it is still in correct position though.

Currently setup is like that:
-- Crank pulley mark is synced to "1" mark of the camshaft pulley;
-- First cylinder is on "very top dead point" position;
-- Distributor's rotor is firing to the first cylinder.

I tried to start engine it feels like almost there, I hear some combustion sounds in motor, lot of coughs, but engine did not start.
Any suggestions?

Yes, you are correct about turning the crank pulley anticlockwise six degrees. Here is a diagram of how the timing cam pulley should be set with the crank pulley at TDC:

After setting the timing, turn the crank pulley anticlockwise six degrees and turn distributor anticlockwise away from the firing position. Slowly turn the distributor clockwise until it fires at number one position and tighten. Another way to try is to turn the distributor as close as possible to the firing position and if it fails to start, turn the distributor to advance or retard the ignition timing and retry. The firing order is 1, 3, 4, 2, in clockwise position. If the distributor had been pulled out, it could have gone out of position and if that is the case, set the crank position to number one at ignition firing. Pull distributor out and you would notice a punch mark on the distributor shaft just above the gears. Align the mark with a groove on the distributor housing and then insert the distributor back into the slot. The rotor would turn away from its position while doing so, it is designed to be thus and the mark would move away, do not worry about that. Once the distributor is fully inserted, set the ignition timing and it should be ready to go. Test the comptression to confirm all cylinders are good. If compression is low, pump some oil into the cylinders and retest.

Your advice was very useful and right to the point.
Going to give you my two points to you, now. :-)

Thank you and glad you have resolved the problem.

Have a nice day.

Thank you for using 2carpros.

Hi, I am having same problem, but when I put everything on number one and one piston on TDC my valves are not both open. Like someone messed up with the van before me and the factory numbers now are not matching. What can I do? I took the valve cover off too so I know that the valve of the piston one should be open but they are not. Help please.

Can you please take pictures of the camshaft lobes while the engine is on TDC? It sounds like the camshaft timing is off.

Hi, just turn on my van! The numbers 1 2 3 4 of the pulley did not lined up with the sequence of the valves, so I rotated it until I got it right. Now I have to make the spark timing perfect. Should I just go to the mechanic? Or is a way to do it at home?

Yes you can do it at home. Remove the distributor cap and put the engine on TDC with the number one cylinder on its compression stroke.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Then align the ignition rotor to the number one plug wire on the cap it should fire right up.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken