Another timeing question! Help!

[kyles v221 islander]

Ok I had to replace the timing gears on my 87' 130L Merc.
Had to remove the cam to press new gear on. Not as hard as I thought with the tear down..Tried really hard to put Cyl #1 at TDC.
Ensured timing marks were aligned when I installed cam shaft..that took awhile.
Well put it all together and went to fire it up and it wouldn't fire up...Had spark and fuel...Timing mark with cyl #1 at TDC (spark plug off and compression coming out) timing mark is now 4 inches retarded to the timing gauge...How did that happen?
Tried to move the distributor around and nothing seemed to make a difference.
Any suggestions?

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Another timeing question! Help!

retime the cam.
dont worry about getting TDC #1 when doing the cam. just make sure the marks are correct, then after that is done get it to TDC #1 and check or reset the dist.
some engines time the cam to a cylinder other than #1.

 

[kyles v221 islander]

Re: Another timeing question! Help!

Any fool proof way to do that..or is it a hit and miss kind of thing. A friend did suggest something like that over the phone, but when I attempted that did pull Distributor and reset with rotoer at terminal one for spark plug number 1...But really not sure if I am doing it right..This is my weakest point with engines..timing..just can't get my mind around that.
Thanks for the quick feedback

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Another timeing question! Help!

you need to pull the timing cover to verify/adjust the timing marks on the crank gear and cam gear. TDC has nothing to do with this step. You must line the 2 dots up first.1 is on the crank gear, 1 is on the cam gear

 

[kyles v221 islander]

Re: Another timeing question! Help!

Yes the two marks were lined up..I was very sure that was perfecct...that's why it took me awhile to get it right...sliding the cam back in the tail end was hard to keep up and aligned. but once it hit right on it was all worth it.
I just saw on another post that I did mess up the valve lash adjustment..so that willl be my next step...
The order is E,I,I,E,EI,I,E
I did not have this info at time os adjustment..believe it or not it was not found in the manual SELCO (sp) manual.
I'm sure that this is the issue plus the Dist. adjust is still off..

 

[Don S]

Re: Another timeing question! Help!

When the cam and crankshaft gear marks are lined up. The engine is NOT at #1 TDC on the compression stroke.
You first need to get then engine at #1 TDC on the compression stroke, THEN, you install the distributor with the rotor pointing at the #1 spark plug wire on the cap.

 

[kyles v221 islander]

Re: Another timeing question! Help!

Ok sounds right..BUT would the valve lash effect the starting of the engine...and yes the dots were aligned on the timing gears...
I guess just need to play hit or miss with the distributor.

 

[Don S]

Re: Another timeing question! Help!

Ok sounds right..BUT would the valve lash effect the starting of the engine...and yes the dots were aligned on the timing gears...

If you adjusted the valves while on the wrong stroke, then that is way off to.

I guess just need to play hit or miss with the distributor.

Hit or miss is not how it's done.

Sounds to me like you need to find a good mechanic.

 

[kyles v221 islander]

Re: Another timeing question! Help!

No need to be mean..What I ment was to fix the timing and then the Valve lash and see if that does it. Not hit and miss like lets try this and that...