Distributor position relative to timing.

MaelstroM · 07-02-2007, 09:14 AM

I have my '87 MR2 perfectly timed at zero degrees BTDC, as the sticker under the hood states, but when I took the camshafts out to replace the seals, I put them back in and rotated the distributor without marking it's position first. Now the engine is timed properly, but the ignition is off. Does anyone know the position of the spark on cyl. #1 relative to the timing? I have it set to spark right at TDC, but the car is running extremely sluggish now. Should I advance the distributor a little? I just want to know where #1 spark should be so when I measure it with a timing light I'll be able to set it perfectly.

Thanks!
~Ian

seven_mgte · 07-03-2007, 08:59 PM

isn't it supposed to be 10° BTDC?

MaelstroM · 07-05-2007, 07:49 AM

I would suppose that's why there are two marks on the harmonic balancer. One mark is TDC for the crank and the mark next to it is 10º BTDC for the spark. It's the only thing that really makes sense.

1985MR2 · 08-03-2007, 12:55 PM

Actually, there are three marks. 0, 10 and 16 degress BTDC.

07-02-2007, 09:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
MaelstroM Tinkering Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Distributor position relative to timing. I have my '87 MR2 perfectly timed at zero degrees BTDC, as the sticker under the hood states, but when I took the camshafts out to replace the seals, I put them back in and rotated the distributor without marking it's position first. Now the engine is timed properly, but the ignition is off. Does anyone know the position of the spark on cyl. #1 relative to the timing? I have it set to spark right at TDC, but the car is running extremely sluggish now. Should I advance the distributor a little? I just want to know where #1 spark should be so when I measure it with a timing light I'll be able to set it perfectly. Thanks! ~Ian Last edited by MaelstroM; 07-02-2007 at 10:14 AM..

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07-03-2007, 08:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
seven_mgte Cage Fighter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coquitlam, BC.ca Posts: 327 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	isn't it supposed to be 10° BTDC?

07-05-2007, 07:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
MaelstroM Tinkering Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I would suppose that's why there are two marks on the harmonic balancer. One mark is TDC for the crank and the mark next to it is 10º BTDC for the spark. It's the only thing that really makes sense.

08-03-2007, 12:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
1985MR2 Original 1985 Owner Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Actually, there are three marks. 0, 10 and 16 degress BTDC.