How to set TDC with an aftermarket flywheel...

[JiXer]

So, I had to overhaul my timing system and I have most of it complete, but I am nor paranoid that I am not at TDC. I have an aluminum flywheel which does not have the convenient little 8mm whole for setting TDC.
So I had to guess.

Is there another way to make sure that I am right on TDC?

I also want to set my intake cam to 5^ advanced, but I am not sure how to be sure that I am right on 5^.

Help is greatly appreciated as I need this car for Monday morning.

Thanks in advance.


J.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

Use a timing gun on the timing chain, or something?

[e304me]

just put somthing long and skinny in the front cylinder (#1) and rotate till gets the tallest and that is tdc. make sure not to hit your valves while doing this and turn the engine over by hand (clockwise when looking at the front of the ening) several stimes before stratup

[JiXer]

You mean through the spark plug hole?
Not a bad idea.
Not as precise as the flywheel thing, but a damn good idea.

I'm not worried about being so far off that I hit a valve.
I am more worried about being off by a tooth on the timing gear and it running crappy and then not knowing which way to move it, etc.
I'm an M20 guy so this is all new to me.
I was counting on more obvious marks and such.

What about the 5^ thing.
Any insight there?
Anyone?

J.

[JiXer]

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=28457&posted=1#post28457

[mode]

Is there a 60-2 wheel on the m42?

If there is, it would be TDC at the 13th tooth (falling edge) at the timing sensor.

[Low Level E30]

How do you NORMALLY set TDC on an M42, with the stock flywheel?

Is there a way to set it by looking at the front of the motor? Maybe a marking on the crank pulley or something?

I am putting mine back together and can't figure it out at the moment...

Thanks!

[JiXer]

How do you NORMALLY set TDC on an M42, with the stock flywheel?

Is there a way to set it by looking at the front of the motor? Maybe a marking on the crank pulley or something?

I am putting mine back together and can't figure it out at the moment...

Thanks!

That would make way too much sense. :)

There is actually a pass through hole in the back of the block under the starter that should have a plug in it. You pull the plug out and use something like an 8mm drill bit to locate the hole in the flywheel that it lines up with. Thats TDC.

J.

[Low Level E30]

That would make way too much sense. :)

There is actually a pass through hole in the back of the block under the starter that should have a plug in it. You pull the plug out and use something like an 8mm drill bit to locate the hole in the flywheel that it lines up with. Thats TDC.

J.

Ah ha!

So pull the plug in the back side of the block near the starter - push an 8mm +/- drill bit through the hole --- turn the motor manually until the drill bit can slip forward into the hole in the flywheel. Then piston #1 will be at TDC.

Then set the cams on the head. Lock them with the tool. Tighten them down on the head. Attach the sprockets. Etc etc...

Is that correct?

Or am I doing something out of order?

Thanks for the help!

[JiXer]

You got it.

[Low Level E30]

You got it.

Awesome, thanks!

As for your predicament...

... do you have any pictures of the stock and the aftermarket flywheel side by side? Surely there is a commonality between the two that would allow you to set TDC? I would think that the manufacturer would have taken that into consideration when designing the flywheel... ?

Is it a JBR flywheel?

[Jealous]

[JiXer]

I think its a BMP and no, there is no mark.
I went out and found a stock one, placed it up there, got the motor at TDC and went around to the front and ground a mark in the timing sprocket, so no I have a mark.

I have since come up with a solution to use a 12 lbs. steel wheel in place of th aluminum one which I can do for people at a fraction of the cost and far less rattling noises. If anyone is interested.

J.

[Low Level E30]

Oooo - really?