Timing shocker

[heinz]

 Just double checked my timing using the paint brush in number one cylnder method, the cam was 5 teeth out    runs perfectly now engine was like that when I brought it of ebay.
 

[tommk3cab]

would you care to elaborate on the paintbrush method? i havnt heared that one, could be quite useful!

[heinz]

 shove a paint brush handle carefully down number one spark plug hole then carefull rotate engine until paintbrush handle is at the highest point, then you know that number one piston is at top of stroke, then check cam and dizzy markings as well as flywheel markings if it has any.

[tommk3cab]

i may be being blonde but how would you go about carefully rotating the engine?!

[heinz]

Slowy and making sure paintbrush stays in the centre of the piston so as not jam in the rings

[Len]

Not sure about this one myself!

I assume by paint brush you mean something long and thin like an artists brush and you place it on top of the cylinder and you are trying to establish TDC???

[EvilScotsman]

I just use a screwdriver but you have to hold it while the piston comes up and watch it doesnt jam. And it will if you arent careful. (a paintbrush handle can snap and be left in the barrel if you dont watch what your doing

A 19mm spanner on the crank pulley centre nut will turn the engine but remove all 4 plugs so its easy to turn 

[tommk3cab]

A 19mm spanner on the crank pulley centre nut will turn the engine but remove all 4 plugs so its easy to turn 

thats what i was looking for! cheers evil, i wondered how, short of 'gently?!!' turning the key in the ignition i didnt get how?! or pushing the car in gear?!

[EvilScotsman]

no probs  you can reach the pulley from under the wing on the drivers side and still hold the screwdriver in the no1 plughole to feel the piston coming to top dead centre - but remember it does this twice, one is the compression stroke and again on the exhaust stroke.

An inspection hole is on top of the gearbox above the flywheel so you look for a green arrow or other large mark there if its on tdc, if you cant find it, heres an easy way to get it on the compression stroke (2 methods)

1. while turning the engine by hand/spanner with all 4 plugs out, block no1 plughole with your finger, it will get pushed off with the pressure if the piston is coming up on compression. On the exhaust stroke theres no pressure as the exhaust valve is opening too.

2. remove all but no1 plug, crank the engine for a second - it will stop on no1 compression stroke as thats the only resistance available to stop rotation since no1 plug is still fitted. Remove plug and continue as before.

[rubjonny]

the other option is to shine a torch down the bore and watch the piston come up