what am i doing wrong

[Steven_Z]

i have a 78 and im tryin to replace the timing components.

i have the motor at TDC on compression stroke. the notch in the crankshaft is pointing up. and the valves on the 1 cylinder are open. when i get it all back together the rotor on the distributer is not pointing at the #1 sparkplug. its way off. also is the crankshaft puley supose to have play in it b4 you bolt it secure to the motor? any help would be apreciated.

thanks

[sblake01]

You need to remove your oil pump and rotate the shaft until its in the position that allows your rotor to point to #1. I don't know the answer to the second question since I always bolt them down when I install them.

[Mike]

How off is it ? If it's 180 degrees off, then someone might have put the shaft in backward. That happened on an old engine of mine.

[Jeff G 78]

i have a 78 and im tryin to replace the timing components.

i have the motor at TDC on compression stroke. the notch in the crankshaft is pointing up. and the valves on the 1 cylinder are open.

Steven, with the notch up, the valves should be CLOSED on the #1 cylinder. With the valve cover off, both cam lobes for #1 should be up when the crank notch is up. The rotor should then be pointing at the #1 wire.

[sblake01]

Good catch, I missed that part and went straight to the rotor not facing #1.

[Steven_Z]

your right the valves on the #1 cylinder should have been closed. i found out that a little late. i was so close too. ok my next question is how do i find TDC and get the distributor lined up as well as the camshaft cause i am now having to replace the head too. damn i could kick myself.

Thanks.

[Zs-ondabrain]

the cam lobes for your #1 cylinder should both be up, like bunny ears.

With the spark plug removed (#1) put a 12" ratchet extension in the spark plug hole while the piston is near the top. Turn the crank SLOWLY until the extension is at it's highest point. Hold the extension and slowly turn the crank until you feel it leveling off, as you go back and forth with the crank.

Roughly, use your imagination to get the piston as high as possible. Now the cam and piston are set. Drop the oil pump and rod. pull the distributor, put the pump shaft into the bottom of the dizzy to get an idea of how the 2 should fit in order for the rotor to be pointing in the correct position. And not where the marker hole is on the timing gear

In other words, do the above to get a visual of how it will look when properly installed.

Put the dizzy back in then slide the oil shaft back into place and check to see the timing is where you want it. Do it a few times till you get it right.

It's an easy process, just not that easy to explain.

Good luck,

Dave.

[Steven_Z]

i understand thank you. i have 1 last question.

on the end of the crankshaft the notch that has the metal insert to hold the crankshaft pulley. the notch is worn and the pulley has quite a bit of play when it is on. is this a big issue once i get it tourqued down?

[hls30.com]

Yep, that wear is the number one cause of an unuseable crankshaft-have it repaired pronto-or go ahead and find another crank and the tools and/or money necessary to change them out!

Will

[Steven_Z]

i apreciate all the help. this thing has been a nightmare since day 1.

i have gotton the crankshaft fixed the head put on timing components on. i know its timmed right but when i start it the engine wont rev up hardly and its running rough.would moving the crankshaft and using another number on the top sprocket help with this? the timing notch is just right of the dash.

what size feeler guages do i use to adjust the valves. sorry for all the questions but i think i almost have this thing figured out. thanks.

[EScanlon]

Vacuum advance mechanism in the distributor?