
Crank the engine until No. 1 piston is at TDC of its compression stroke. Using a new O-ring, install it on the distributor housing. On the all models, the distributor drive gear remains engaged when the distributor is removed. To install, align the distributor and turn the shaft until the drive locks and the distributor seats in the cylinder head.
How do I set the timing on my engine?
First there are two types of timing to set 1. Cam timing 2. Ignition timing As the top of your engine rotates (the camshaft, valves etc), the bottom half of the engine is also turning (rods, pistons, crank etc). The two sections rotate at a ratio of 1:2 which means the top of the engine rotates once for every two revolutions of the bottom end.
What is cam timing and ignition timing?
Cam timing 2. Ignition timing As the top of your engine rotates (the camshaft, valves etc), the bottom half of the engine is also turning (rods, pistons, crank etc). The two sections rotate at a ratio of 1:2 which means the top of the engine rotates once for every two revolutions of the bottom end.
Why is my ignition timing not 10 degrees BTDC at idle?
It’s likely that our static ignition timing at the crankshaft at idle may not be the desired 10 degrees BTDC. If it must be changed, merely loosen the hold-down nut and adjust the distributor until the initial timing on the crankshaft is at the desired timing figure.
What happens if you drive a golf without a timing belt?
Without the timing belt fitted you are rotating the top half of the engine without the bottom moving. You nede to be very careful when doing this and as mentinoed earlier, the Golf is an interference engine which means you can hit the pistons.

How do you adjust a distributor timing?
5:087:03How To Set Timing Ignition Timing With A Distributor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe first need to loosen the distributor hold down clamp with a wrench. You want to loosen it justMoreWe first need to loosen the distributor hold down clamp with a wrench. You want to loosen it just enough so that you can turn it by hand you don't want it so loose that it moves on its own rotating.
How do you set the timing on a distributor without timing light?
How to Set Timing Without a Timing Light Step BY Step GuideStep 1: Get a vacuum pressure, dwell, and RPM (revolutions per minute) ... Step 2: Loosen the bolt that holds the engine's distributor. ... Step 3: Rotate the distributor slowly. ... Step 4: Adjust the carburetor.
What happens if your distributor timing is off?
When any changes are made to the engine of a car, the ignition timing is adjusted accordingly. If not, you could experience several problems with your engine with improper ignition timing like knocking, hard to start, increase fuel usage, overheating, and reduced power.
How do you test a mk1 Golf distributor?
1:207:20Mk1 Golf Ignition Testing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen we turn the ignition on is battery voltage across those two pins. So as you can see whoMoreWhen we turn the ignition on is battery voltage across those two pins. So as you can see who connected brought for a terminal 4 to the positive probe terminal 2 to the negative probe.
How do you know if your ignition timing is off?
2:124:21How To Tell If Your Engine Timing Is Off - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLight is producing your check engine light is producing. And if it pulls a timing code then you knowMoreLight is producing your check engine light is producing. And if it pulls a timing code then you know your timing is off or there's a problem with the timing. In the in the engine. Likely the timing
What should my ignition timing be?
The ideal ignition timing for power occurs just before the point where detonation or pinging takes place. Correctly timed ignition will cause peak cylinder pressures to occur around 12 to 15 degrees after TDC.
What happens when timing is too advanced?
If the spark timing is initiated too early, the cylinder may experience detonation and potentially cause damage. If the spark occurs too late, the engine runs flat, makes less power, and may overheat.
How do you fix an incorrect ignition timing?
To adjust your timing, all you need to do is turn the distributor housing one direction or the other, depending on whether or not you want to advance or move back the timing. If the rotor turns clockwise, you'll advance the timing by rotating the distributor counterclockwise, and vice versa.
What happen if ignition timing is wrong?
If ignition timing is incorrect and causes the spark plugs to fire too soon or too late, the fuel-and-air mixture will not be ignited at the proper time which will cause the engine to become difficult to start.
How do you set the timing on a mk1 Golf 1.4 i?
0:443:57GOLF MK1: TIMING MARKS, AND SETTING TIMING #golfmk1 #vwgolf ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay now the first timing mode that i want to show you is on your cam pulley or your camshaftMoreOkay now the first timing mode that i want to show you is on your cam pulley or your camshaft sprocket there is a timing mark on here there is an indent on the inside of the cam pulley.
How do you test a VW distributor?
0:298:06VW engine testing your condenser the old fashion way - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake out your coil wire. And hold your spark somewhere to ground hold it about maybe about an eighthMoreTake out your coil wire. And hold your spark somewhere to ground hold it about maybe about an eighth of an inch. Away. You want to check your spark.
How do you test a mk1 coil?
0:040:52Ignition Coil - How to Test - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo test to see if the coil is working you remove the wire that goes to your points. Put a jump eliteMoreTo test to see if the coil is working you remove the wire that goes to your points. Put a jump elite on there. Take. The other end of the wire make sure your key is turned on.
Can you set timing with a vacuum gauge?
4. Keep in mind when adjusting the timing, you have to turn the distributor clockwise to advance and counter-clockwise to retard. 5. While watching the vacuum gauge, slowly turn the distributor clockwise (advance timing) and look for a maximum reading on the gauge.
How do you set the timing on 10 degrees BTDC?
ProcedureRotate the engine to TDC on the Compression Stroke of the #1 cylinder. ... Install the Degree Wheel on the crankshaft and set it to zero.Turn the crank backwards until the degree wheel reads 10 degrees BTDC.Align the distributor rotor with the cap location for the #1 spark plug wire.More items...•
How do you fix an incorrect ignition timing?
To adjust your timing, all you need to do is turn the distributor housing one direction or the other, depending on whether or not you want to advance or move back the timing. If the rotor turns clockwise, you'll advance the timing by rotating the distributor counterclockwise, and vice versa.
What hand do you use to rotate a distributor?
The direction your fingers point is the direction of rotor movement. On a Chevy distributor, you would use your left hand, and on a Ford you’ll use your right hand. This is a cool little trick you can use on any distributor to determine its rotation. ….
How to tell if a distributor is vacuum advance?
Tech Tip: One quick way to tell on any vacuum advance style distributor is to lay your hand parallel with the vacuum advance canister and then curl your fingers inward toward the middle of the distributor body. The direction your fingers point is the direction of rotor movement. On a Chevy distributor, you would use your left hand, and on a Ford you’ll use your right hand. This is a cool little trick you can use on any distributor to determine its rotation.
How to tighten distributor body?
With the rotor close to the Number One position, twist the distributor body until the rotor points directly at the Number One spark plug terminal position mark on the distributor. Now install the distributor cap and cinch the distributor body down to the intake mani fold with the hold-down c lamp. Tighten this lightly—we may have to move it again when the engine starts.
What happens if the distributor is off by more than one tooth?
If the rotor is not pointing at Number One, you could twist the distributor body, but if it is off by more than one tooth, this will require turning the distributor body too far. Instead, you will need to remove the distributor and repeat the previous process as the rotor is not in the correct position.
How to move rotors on a camshaft?
As the distributor drive gear engages the teeth on the camshaft, this will move the rotor slightly clockwise. Position the distributor so that the vacuum advance canister is located on the passenger side of the engine pointing roughly forward. If the rotor is not pointed close to the Number One mark, pull the distributor and re-position the rotor until it comes close.
Where is the spark plug wire on a Summit Hei distributor?
We use a black Sharpie to place a mark on the distributor body where we want the Number One spark plug wire to be located. This can be placed anywhere you like, but if you are a Chevro let traditionalist, this ends up roughly at about the 5 o’clock position on the distributor as you are looking at it from the front of the engine.
How long has it been a procedure to drop a distributor into an engine?
Dropping a distributor into the engine is a time-honored procedure that has been around since the first engines coughed their way to life more than 100 years ago.
What are the two types of timing?
First there are two types of timing to set. 1. Cam timing. 2. Ignition timing. As the top of your engine rotates (the camshaft, valves etc), the bottom half of the engine is also turning (rods, pistons, crank etc). The two sections rotate at a ratio of 1:2 which means the top of the engine rotates once for every two revolutions of the bottom end.
Where are timing marks?
There are timing marks in various places such as the gearbox, dizzy cap, timing covers etc and we will use them shortly. The second picture shows the arrow a little better but it's difficult to see this when you're working on the car
What is the step 27 on a cam belt?
Step 27 - With the cover removed you will now have access to the crank pulley, the camshaft pulley (or sprocket), the tensioner for the cam belt and a new one now which is the 'intermediate shaft' that is used to drive the oil pump and the distriutor.
What is the point where the piston is at the top of the cylinder?
TDC - This is the point where the piston is at the top of the cylinder, it occurs twice in every revolution of the camshaft as discussed earlier. There's also BDC (Bottom dead centre) which is when the piston is directly at the bottom of the chamber, again, occurs twice for each cam revolution.
What is BTDC on a crankshaft?
6 degrees BTDC. This refers to the number of degrees (remember, 360 in a circle) of rotation on the crankshaft before the piston is at TDC. As mentioned, the spark plug fires a spark BEFORE the piston reaches TDC and the number of degrees BTDC changes the characteristics of the explosion.
What happens when a camshaft snaps?
The timing of the camshaft against the crankshaft is vital, if the valves were to open when the piston was at the top of its stroke then the valves could hit the top of the piston and the result is usually a destroyed engine (this is what happens when a cam/timing belt snaps). Note that this is called an INTERFERENCE engine when ...
Which way should you rotate crank pulley?
When rotating the crank pulley you should go in the direction of normal engine rotation which is clockwise if you were facing the crnak pulley.
