setting engine timing probs

[elnigel]

Hi, i have my engine on a stand as ive just finished reboring and restoring it!

Im struggling working out how to set up the cam belt, the bottom end is easy to line up but im confused about setting the camshaft correctly!?!

the haynes manual says use the inner mark on the camshaft pulley and line it with the top edge of the head and thats TDC. but i found a small arrow on the plastic cam belt cover and lined it up with the outer mark on the pulley, should i line it up with that, it looks more right??

Please help, dont want to knacker my engine after all the work ive done to it

oh its a 89 8v PB engine code

Thanks guys

[richandhazel]

The cambelt sprocket isn't visible once you have the cover on so I think you may be getting a little confused.

That arrow that you mention sounds like the arrow for the crankshaft pulley which indicates that the crankshaft is at TDC. The camshaft does indeed have a mark on the inside of the pulley that you line up with top of the cylinder head. Also the inlet and outlet lobes for number one cylinder should also be pointing upwards, so that they roughly form a 'V'

[elnigel]

hi, thanks for the reply.

with the cam belt cover removed there is a semi circular bit of plastic behind the camshaft sprocket, which the cover clips on to. on this is an arrow which is in the centre pointing downwards.

 if i set the camshaft so that the mark on the outside of the sprocket lines up with this mark, the number 1 cylinder cams point uowards in a V as you say,

but if i line up with the top of the head, using the mark on the inside of the cam sprocket the inlet valve is half open!

Which is correct, im just worried as its loads easier to sort this out now, rather than mess about when ive put the engine back in the car.

Thanks