99 GSX base Timing 15 BTDC help..

[Spanky_DSM]

the video doesn't say that and I never said it did. I said I took those steps to do my timing.

I set it to 5 following this thread.

Engine Timing

I aligned the 2 cam gears, set the oil sprocket, then set the crank to 5.

but obviously you guys are saying I shouldn't of set it 5 and should have put it at T.

Which I said I was going to re adjust. Right?

 

[snowborder714]

Ok, we're talking about two completely different things here.

1. Base timing - this is set with the engine not running by getting all timing marks aligned (cams, oil pump, and crank) with the engine at TDC. The white mark on the damper will line up with the T on the lower timing belt cover.

2. Ignition timing - this is set with the engine running and up to temp. You need to use a timing gun to set this and you have to have a 1g CAS to even adjust ignition timing. Any 2g CAS will not allow this.


Now, is this any clearer? If so, which one are you having issues setting?

 

[Spanky_DSM]

Ok, we're talking about two completely different things here.

1. Base timing - this is set with the engine not running by getting all timing marks aligned (cams, oil pump, and crank) with the engine at TDC. The white mark on the damper will line up with the T on the lower timing belt cover.

Base Timing is what I meant from the beginning. Sorry if I was unclear but my question from the beginning was if I could run my car with the damper mark pointing at 5 instead of "T", but had already been answered that I shouldn't run it on 5.

My question was if I could run it at 5 instead of T.

 

[turbosax2]

You're still not making sense.

1. With the engine off, put it to TDC.
2. Verify you have the cam gear dowels at 12 o'clock, cam gear marks aligned, oil pump mark pointing at the proper spot on the front case, and crank pulley pointing at the proper spot on the front case.
3. Install the harmonic damper, and verify the timing mark on the harmonic damper lines up with the T on the timing belt cover.
4. With the engine running, follow the VFAQ link and set it to 5* BTDC by adjusting the CAS, just like the link says.

That's it. It's that simple.

 

[snowborder714]

^From what it looks like (based on his profile), he doesn't have a 1g CAS so he won't be able to adjust to 5° BTDC.


You're mixing things up again, or at least using improper terminology.

If the car is running (and you have a timing light on it), the mark will be at 5° BTDC.
If the car is off and at TCD with the timing marks lined up, the mark will be at T.


Since you're asking about base timing, ignore the link you posted as that only deals with ignition timing.

 

[Spanky_DSM]

Ah alright,!

Ill redo the belt.

Ill set #1/#4 at mid TCD and from there ill re align the Cams and after putting the belt on hopefully the crank pulley mark is pointing to the T mark instead of 5. If that is the correct way to do it. yes no?

 

[snowborder714]

Ill set #1/#4 at mid TCD

What's mid TDC?

Follow what Zach posted above about finding TDC.


I'm starting to get a headache trying to figure out why this is so hard. I can't figure out if we aren't communicating exactly what needs to be done, if you aren't quite understanding what we're saying, or if you're basing how to set timing off of some improper source.

 

[turbosax2]

The CRANK PULLEY mark points to the indicator on the front case. This has nothing to do with the marks on the timing belt cover.

The HARMONIC DAMPER mark points to the T on the timing belt cover.

Do you know the difference between a CRANK PULLEY and HARMONIC DAMPER?

 

[Spanky_DSM]

There are so many effin threads telling me different things. My bad.

http://www.thedsmgraveyard.com/category_s/834.htm <--- that what I was reffering by mid tcd.

and yes, I meant the harmonic damper pointing to the lower timing belt cover.

 

[snowborder714]

Just to put pictures to this so we're 100% clear.

The CRANK PULLEY mark points to the indicator on the front case. This has nothing to do with the marks on the timing belt cover.

The HARMONIC DAMPER mark points to the T on the timing belt cover.

http://www.thedsmgraveyard.com/category_s/834.htm <--- that what I was reffering by mid tcd.

Gotcha. So, that whole article refers to setting base timing and has nothing to do with a harmonic damper. That only deals with lining up the crank pulley (see picture above).

 

[Spanky_DSM]

I see where I started all the confusion.

There was plenty of times when I referred to the damper as crank pulley.

As of right now my harmonic damper is pointing to 5 on the timing cover, and want to ask if I can run it?

I know ive been told to get it at T but still curious if I can run my car it set to 5.

 

[snowborder714]

We've stated before what you need to check and what marks need to be lined up when you check before you start it.

 

[Spanky_DSM]

Thank you Brian.

 

[snowborder714]

If you want to regurgitate that info to make sure you actually understand what we've said, feel free. I'm still not convinced you actually have grasped what we've been telling you.

 

[Spanky_DSM]

Okay, setting #1 to tcd using a screw driver both cam gears should align and my harmonic damper should be pointing to the "T" mark on the lower timing belt cover. Correct?

But in my case its pointing to 5 on the lower timing belt cover which you said its still okay to run.

 

[delta448]

If you find actual TDC on #1 then it doesn't matter where the damper mark lines up. The crank is without any doubt positioned where it SHOULD be for you to set the timing everywhere else.

Unless you broke the woodruff key for the crank sprocket or the damper is falling apart, those 2 marks will also be correct after you find Top Dead Center for cylinder #1.

 

[snowborder714]

Unless you broke the woodruff key for the crank sprocket or the damper is falling apart, those 2 marks will also be correct after you find Top Dead Center for cylinder #1.

Didn't think of this until now, but another possibility is that the locating pin for the damper got smashed in so far that it's not there. He may have also bolted up the damper without lining it up properly, which would throw off the reading. It'd be much further off though.


Can you take a picture of the damper bolted on and post it up with your finger pointing to where the white mark would be (making sure to have the engine at TDC)?