Still have timing issue but may have a breakthrough

[matthg40]

Had a timing issue for a good few months now and it's been driving me up the wall.and I think I've now worked out what the problem is but not quite sure how to rectify it.ive noticed the rotary arm is sitting at the 4 o clock position when set to tdc rather than 10 o clock like it's supposed to be so im now unsure of how to like it back up so it's back in the right position.does anyone have any ideas ive tried everything possible and I'm running out of ideas so if anyone can help please feel free as I really want my g40 back on the road thanks as always matt

[GR40]

Don't put it in any other position. Try switching the wires around. There are 2 types of distributor depending on where the position sensor is! If that is your case you need to put number 1 spark plug wire in number 3, number 2 in 4... etc and it will probably work.

[ereeiz]

Rotate the engine to TDC, wherever your rotor arm is facing, that is cylinder 1. Next is 3 then 4 then 2

[matthg40]

Thank guys will give it a try you may of saved the day

[matthg40]

Both timing marks are set perfectly and it sits at tdc now Its got a horrible misfire making it impossible to set the timing with a strobe Light the the mechanical timing mark this is really beginning to frustrate me now

[GR40]

Did you put the order counter clockwise? The cam pulley rotates clockwise but the distributor does counter clockwise so if cylinder 1 is at 4 o'clock then cylinder 3 is at 1 o'clock then cylinder 4 is at 10 o'clock and cylinder 2 is at 7 o'clock. Check again if that is correct!

[matthg40]

Yes number 1 sits at about 8 o clock but was told it should be about 10 o clock

[GR40]

I can't think of anything else! Can you upload pictures of your timing marks and the distributor? We might see something you are missing!

[matthg40]

Heading out to work on the car this afternoon will put some pics up then

[matthg40]

Here are some pics

[matthg40]

Sorry there not great

[GR40]

From what I see, my assumption is correct! You have a rebuilt distributor with the newer type of sensor so your cylinder 1 is 180o off from where it was in an original bosch. Try bolting it to where, the sensor is under the distributor instead of over, then pick to where the rotor is facing and set that one as cylinder number one. See if that works! If it does, and you want the sensor at the top then turn it back around and switch the plugs 180 degrees, cause in this case the rotor is showing you cylinder 4 and not number 1 at tdc.

Correction: I don't think it will work in any position other than with the sensor under the distributor. You would have to put the rotor arm 180o off too and that is not possible unless you take the distributor apart.

PS. I assume your distributor is rebuilt and someone just didn't turn the back of it around to match the new sensor. I could be wrong!

PS2. I assume you were unplugging the blue sensor when trying to time it, right?

[matthg40]

So basically I need to put my sensor upside down is what your saying as it's 180 degrees out?its a eBay jobee he asked for my reg and sent what I have on the car now it's not a Bosch replacement sadly.and I've removed blue sensor when setting timing yes

[GR40]

It is a possibility that the guy who rebuilt this one forgot to also turn the rotation disk that attaches to the cam 180 degrees to match the new sensor position. So yes I believe that whoever rebuilt this one might has gotten it reassembled the wrong way. Its worth a try putting it upside down.

[matthg40]

Right so I'm putting the sensor at the top and which lead facing the rad 1 or 4 sorry for the questions I know my engine like the back of my hand but never done anything with the distributor or rotary arm as you can tell