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Timing issues

Tiny
MICHAEL GOSNEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 GEO TRACKER
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
Can't find clear mark on crank pulley to time distributor after timing belt replacement.
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 12:23 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

I attached a picture for you. You will have to clean off the crank pulley to see the mark.

Also, the key way being at 12 o'clock is also top dead center as well.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL GOSNEY
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I've got conflicting info but not from you. One site or page said while putting belt on he had the cam mark at almost a quarter past, while the others, both cam and crank were at 12:00 and that's how I installed it. Yet when resetting distributor, they say use #4 cylinder at TDC. So if it's 180 out, can I use the #1 instead or pull it back apart and reset the belt again?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 2:38 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, where or how is the belt set at this point?

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL GOSNEY
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
With both the crank and cam gear at twelve o'clock, with the factory marks. I'm not 100% sure if it was on compression stroke because of it not starting. I've lined up the timing mark at TDC and set distributor at #4 cylinder.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
With the marks set where you are, you are at top dead center number 1 cylinder. Your distributor is 180 out.

I attached the cam mark as well.

Roy

REMOVAL:

1. Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable.
2. Remove the vacuum hose from the vacuum advance unit.
3. Disconnect all distributor electrical connections.
NOTE: DO NOT bend or pull on the spark plug wires, as internal damage may occur. Grip the plug wire boot and twist to remove.
4. Remove the distributor cap.
Mark the distributor housing position on the engine.
Mark the rotor position on the distributor housing assembly.
5. Remove the distributor flange bolt.
6. Remove the distributor housing from the engine.

INSTALLATION:

1. Install the distributor into the engine. Match the marks made on the engine during removal. Be certain that the rotor position also matches the mark made on the distributor housing during removal.
2. Install the distributor flange bolt. DO NOT tighten fully as the ignition timing will have to be set.
3. Install the distributor cap.
4. Connect all electrical connections. Be sure to re-attach the spark plug wires exactly as before.
5. Connect the battery negative (-) cable.
Set ignition timing to specification. Refer to ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES/IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT.

IF DISTRIBUTOR POSITION WAS LOST:

NOTE: If the engine was accidentally cranked after the distributor was removed, the following procedure can be used to properly reposition the distributor.`

1. Rotate the engine until the number one cylinder is at top dead center (TDC) on its compression stroke. This can be accomplished by the following:

Remove the number one spark plug.
Install a compression gauge into the spark plug cavity.
Crank the engine and observe the compression gauge. The TDC of the cylinder's compression stroke occurs when the compression reading is the highest.

2. Align the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley to the zero (0) position on the timing indicator.
3. Position the rotor to the number one cylinder position.
4. Install the distributor.
5. Remove the compression gauge and install the number one spark plug. Tighten the spark plug to 28 N-m (21 lb. Ft.).
6. Check the ignition timing. Refer to ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES/IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL GOSNEY
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Okay, yes, the old belt broke so everything had to be reset.I'm wondering, if the gear marks were lined up and new belt installed, if it was on exhaust stroke, can I reline the marks and make sure if the compression stroke and reset distributor then?Also, with the tracker 1.6 8 valve have you heard of the distributor lining up with #4 cylinder?
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Never on number 4.

Set the marks on the same as in the diagram I sent you. Then drop in the distributor with the rotor pointing to number 1 cylinder. Then you are good.

Do a compression test as well to see if the valves are damaged from the belt failure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 3:30 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL GOSNEY
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Okay Roy, thank you very much, I know your time is valuable and it's been a while since I've done a broken belt replacement. The #4 thing is info out there by several people, not sure of experience level. I'm going to do it on #1and again. Thank you. I'll update with results.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 3:52 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 3:58 PM
Tiny
MICHAEL GOSNEY
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
It turns out I was looking at a mark on the front pulley, when I spun it around a couple more times, I found the actual mark on the back pulley. By that one, the rotor was in between, (on 2-3)so I was so glad to discover it was my 58 year old eye sight, not my forgetting how to time a vehicle. Interestingly, it runs good but when the owner comes back, I'm going to see about the #4 cylinder adjust. I think it possibly will run better. I believe it's been set the normal way by default. I'll get the distributor in the center of the housing that way for more adjustability. Again, I'll update you and thank you Roy for your time.
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Keep us updated.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM

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