Posted: May-09-2008 03:37AM

Now install the dizzie and set the engine with No1 at TDC on the compression stroke. Rotate the dizzie clockwise until the points close, then anticlockwise until the points just open. Where ever the rotor cap points IS the No 1 plug lead. Count off the rest in an anti clockwise direction in the order 1342. When the drive mechanism is set up as recommended No1 will point at 1 oclock.

Cheers, Ian

Posted: May-07-2008 06:13AM

Thanks. I get how the dots line up and all as I ahve built another motor but i guess I was confused due the wording in my manual. I was trying to get the dots lined up, #1 at TDC and the indicator on the crank pully to all line up and I guess that really isnt the case. Being that the cam and crank are keyed there is only one way to put them back together. The dots do line up when the #4 is TDC so I guess all is well. I will pull it, and when it come times to reinstall it, spin whichever so that the dots line up OR just mark it how it is and do it that way.

One thing though, Anyone have a diagram of the dizzy cap with the cylinder #'s on it? #1 is the one pointing up (12 oclockish) right? 

Posted: May-07-2008 05:14AM

Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything.
Charles Kuralt

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Posted: May-07-2008 04:20AM

You really can't put a Mini timing together back to front as long as you follow the dot to dot rule. The way the flywheel, crank and crank pulley are keyed means they only go together one way. So bung it together then turn the crank so the dot on the bottom pulley is on an imaginary line joining the centreline of the crank and the cam (because the cam is at the back of the motor the dot won't be straight up - more like about one oclock).

The cam pulley is keyed to the cam so, again, it only goes on one way. Install the cam so the pulley dot is adjacent to the crank dot (on the same imaginary line between the centres). If the timing chain is one link out the dots will be quite noticeably misaligned so its REALLY obvious if that you have it wrong.

As has been pointed out - if you rotate the crank 360 deg (from the position in your photo) No1 will be back at TDC and your dots will line up (one crank rotation = 1/2 cam rotation). I think I have heard it said that when the dots are aligned then No 4 is at TDC on compression - but maybe I imagined it - no matter, its pretty well irrelevant.

I have an adjustable cam drive but having set up the cam timing once, I marked the inner and outer parts of the cam pulley so no, during a rebuild, I just set it dot to dot and the cam timing is perfect.

On a clockwork car, setting the timing is equally simple and fool proof - but I can't help with your electrickery.

Cheers, Ian

Posted: May-06-2008 04:52PM

Ok. I mean, the car is running and I am 100% that the car is at TDC. I watch the cylinder to double check and move it ever so slowely to make sure.

So, when I take it down, Should i just mark it as it sits and rebuild back to the way it is.

Thanks for all the help everyone. 

Posted: May-06-2008 03:51PM

1981 Mini, 998cc , Stage 1

Posted: May-06-2008 11:39AM

Gotcha on the oil. I want to pull the head anyway up it really was only that little amount that came out so it might only be a little water got in there. There is no signs of white when I pulled the rocker cover.

Onto the timing. If the timing (cam) was that far out of sync, would the car even run? My brother has had the car for a few years now over in Germany and it seemed to run very well. A little more lumpy then mine but it is an SI with 1.5's and some head work. Just so I am 100% and not losing my mind, the motor is at TDC when the #1 cylinder (timing chain side) has both valves completely shut and loose. Looking thru the plug hole, getting the piston to its absolute highest point. At this point the rotor on the dizzy is pointing straight up. Oh and the crank key (ie dot on lower timing gear) is straight up. That is TDC right? 

Posted: May-06-2008 06:40AM Edited:  May-06-2008 08:12AM

I am totaly checking my head gasket next. I have had a feeling that it is bad. Cant wait to see what it all looks like in there.

Thanks

Posted: May-06-2008 06:26AM

Sail & Drive Fast! Live Slow! Billy Backstay

Posted: May-06-2008 06:24AM

Trying to replace the timing assembly gaskets to hopefully cure a pretty bad leak and ran into a problem. Seems like there is something wrong with my timing. The car runs fin (I guess) but when I line up the timing marks and set to TDC, the dots on the the timing chain do not line up. This is an SPI motor with the indicators on the timing cover and a notch in the pulley. You can see in the picture that the dots on the timing chain are way out of wack. Should I just mark how it lines up now and assemble it the same way or what? Would this mean that the cam (in therory) was not timed right? The car does run fine and seems to pull pretty good.

Also, can someone tell me the firing order on the distributor and which plug goes where. At TDC currently the rotor is pointing straight up. This is going by the Hayens manual saying that the #1 cylinder is the one closest to the timing chain. That is correct right? I just got myself all sorts of confused.

All pictures are at TDC of cylinder #1 (timing side) 

Oh, also there seemed to be a little bit of white ooze that came out of the timing cover breather indicating water in the oil, Where should i look for the leak?

Thanks a lot all!