Another VX Timing Question

[Pope1]

Yet another timing related question. Does anyone else with a VX have these timing marks and this kind of pointer on their VX?

http://home.caribsurf.com/chrysalis/images/crank.jpg

This is where my crank pulley was for the cam wheels to be in the correct position to change the timing belt.

Now, having done that, with the vacuum tube disconnected and the car idling at about 750 rpm, the timing light has mark 3 aligned with the pointer with 0 degrees advance on the light. If I set the timing light to 10 degrees, then mark 2 is aligned with the pointer.

Would someone please tell me what they think should be aligned with the pointer if I have the distributor in the right place and I have 10 degrees set on the light? I figure it should be mark 1 but I'm far from sure.

By the way, mark 3 is a fine line on the pulley (can't see it in this photo) and marks 1 and 2 are small dimples. Don't know what the significance of that is. Would be grateful for any info please.

[Pope1]

Seems like another embarrassing episode to add to the list. Assuming that mark 1 really is TDC then my car has been chugging for the past few months about 10 degrees retarded, somewhat the way it's owner feels right now :oops: . It it wasn't TDC then I think the valves and the pistons would have been introduced to one another by now.

Set it as indicated above and it runs almost like a good VX should. At least my memory isn't as bad as it seemed - the car now runs much more like I remember it doing 7 years ago when it was on the road. Mixture is still too rich and I kept the revs down due to the new timing belt but it's smooth, quiet and just wafts along (at 60-70 mph) with the throttle barely open.

Still curious if anyone else has this metal pointer as opposed to the marks on the yellow plastic cover.

[Hamish]

They should have both - plastic cover and the metal 'arrow' :wink:

[A1.6HPE]

Hello Chris,
I believe that all of the "Long Bumper" cars have the pointer fitted. It is used to hold the sensor for cars that have the Magneti Marelli ignition system. The marks on the yellow cover are historic, either there was a surplus of covers or they didn't bother changing the desing. I'm pretty confident that the second mark is TDC and that the first mark indicates 20 degrees before tdc. You can easily check TDC by removing the plugs and rotating the crank until piston 1 or 4 is fully up (a long probe held loosely in the plug hole makes the movement visible. When the cars left the factory the engine timing was set up on cylinder 4, ie the timing marks should relate to cylinder 4 at the iginition spark time. Frequently the timing is set by mechanics to fire on cylinder 1 so that causes confusion. The way to check absolutely is to check the piston movement as above and to check which cylinder has both valves fully closed by observing the rotation of the camshafts. Its worth doing so that you know how the timing is set.
Are you sure that your timing lamp is calibrated correctly? I don't know how that can be checked other than by trying it on an engine that is "known good".
The angle between the marks can be checked with a protractor (find your old school bag).
The fine line (3 on your diagram sounds like something that has been scribed by someone like Guy Croft.
I think that you said that GC had worked on your engine, try e-mailing him and ask if he can check his records. gcengines@aol.com

Leo

[Pope1]

Will investigate more closely in due course. Just seen a picture of a fabulous engine with the relevant bits exposed so I've asked the owner for a close-up shot. That also appears to have two dimples and a mark but only positions 2 and 3 have paint showing as far as I can tell.

I assume the timing light is OK, have no reason to assume otherwise.

What has completely thrown me in all this is having mark 1 opposite the pointer when the cam wheel marks appear to be at TDC. Will remove the cam covers and scrutinise what is going on when time permits.

Chris

Chris - there was a duplicate post which I've removed :wink:

Hamish

[Hamish]

I'll check the VX manuals when I get home tonight and post any useful or pertinent info :wink: