Setting Timing

[tsh]

Back in the world of working turbos, I\'m having another go at getting the timing right on my Turbo II. After an engine swap (Turbo I engine), I managed to melt two turbos, then set the timing by trial and error so it ran well, and the exhaust didn\'t glow red too often...

I\'ve taken a couple of photos of how it is at the moment. This looks wrong, but seems to work.


With the crank here (ligned up with they yellow mark), the pickup in the CAS isn\'t quite in the right place.


Aligning the CAS pin with the pickup, i get this in the crank, which is the same as I see with a timing light.


I don\'t like this, because it looks wrong. It seems to work though, so I might stick with it, even though I\'m terified to boot it at the moment!

Any explanations?

Sean

[88GT-R]

Hi,
What procedure are you using to set the CAS? Are you first setting the crank pully and then removing the CAS to line up the dimple and wedge at the bottom of the CAS.? If so, what sort of timing light are you using to check the timing? ie, the normal type or one which you dial in?
Give us a shout if needed.

John

[tsh]

I\'ve tried two timing lights, one with an advance adjustment, and one completely basic neon one - both give the same results.

These photos are static - and that\'s what Tim at Rx motors suggested - but using a timing light I currently get the crank illuminated as in the bottom picture.

Looks like one of my links hasn\'t worked

http://www.rx7-uk.co.uk/pics/DSCN0177.JPG and
http://www.rx7-uk.co.uk/pics/DSCN0176.JPG should go together

http://www.rx7-uk.co.uk/pics/DSCN0179.JPG is what I see using a timing light.

With the CAS, I can see a dimple on the rotor, but I\'m not entirely sure what it\'s supposed to line up with...

Sean

[88GT-R]

Okay,
Looking at the CAS position, it looks out. One of the top teeth should idealy line up with one of the pickups. Use this procedure:
1: Set your crank pulley up with the pin on the yellow mark(first groove)

2: Remove the CAS and line the dimple on the lower gear with the wedge on the shaft.(not the allen screw)

3: Whilst in this set position, mark one of the teeth of the lower gear, which is lined up with one of the pick up points on the side of the housing.( This is to ensure that you can see where the correct setting is when you put the CAS back in, as it will always turn as it slips into the `block´)

4 : Put the CAS back in and connect everything back up.

5: Start her back up, get her warm and check the timing to confirm.

I hope that this helps. Give me a shout if needed.

John
88 GT-R

[tsh]

That helps - thanks... OK so far as step 4. The CAS turns a bit as the gears mesh, but there seems an obvious position where the fixing bolt is in the middle of the adjustment slot - and it runs OK. In the pic, you can just see one of the teeth coloured blue, almost aligned with the right-hand pickup. It lined up exactly before I put the CAS into the block.

If I hadn\'t got a timing light, I\'d be happy!

With the light attached to the L coil (the small coil feeding 2 plugs, right?), I can barely see the yellow mark under the water pump pulley. With the light on T1 (the front of the two big coils), the yellow mark is closer to the pin - but I\'d expect the red mark to line up.

So, on the basis that we\'ve just replicated the setting I had achieved by guesswork, and mechanically everything is in the right place, why is the idle timing so far out? There isn\'t any special procedure to check the timing using a light, is there? As i increase the revs, I get more advance - does this make idle speed critical to setting the timing?

The only other thing I can think of is that I\'ve got a broken sensor somewhere in the system. Could this explain it?

[Glenn Butcher]

Hi Sean,

I know I\'m jumping in a little late here...

For setting the timing, I use to put the pick-up sensor on the actual spark plug lead (right next to the plug) on the front rotor.

Go from the leading (should be the first marker that comes round - yello) then to the trailing.  They should line up.

[tsh]

Hi Glen,

Just tried that, and I get the same result. According to the light, I\'m about 20 degrees advanced - but I don\'t believe it!

I guess i\'ll have to take it to someone to get a professional opinion!

Sean

[88GT-R]

Hi Sean,
Unfortunatley, i had the same problem as you at this stage, ie i wish i did not get the timing light out. From what i have read and participated on other forums across the sea, it seems to be a pretty common anomolie. Although the setup is correct, the ECU seems to bring in ignition when it wants :reallymad  I doubt whether your CAS is bust. Are you near any reputable Rotary garages?

John
88 GT-R