Setting timing

[ttl347]

When setting the timing should it be cylinder 4 that 'rocks' as per the Haynes manual or '1' as per the majority of advice on the internet?. I have a newly rebuilt engine which will not fire. I have checked all the electrics etc and have spark and fuel so I am working on the basis that it is a 180 degree timing issue but there is lots of conflicting information on the web. Any definitive advice gratefully received.

[nick@dunsdale]

Rocking on one and firing on four
or vice verca

[ttl347]

At the moment the rotor is pointing to the 7 o'clock position and that is where I have set 'lead' 1 however I am positive the larger half of the drive is correctly positioned at the bottom. Should the rotor be pointing at 1-00 o'clock in which case I am 180 degrees out?

[InimiaD]

The large offset of the drive spindle should be at the top so you could well be 180 out.
No 1 piston should be at TDC on compression stroke meaning both valves are fully closed.

[dklawson]

To add to InimiaD's statement, when the valves are closed the rocker arms are loose (they can be wiggled). Turn your engine over until piston #1 can be seen coming up through the spark plug hole and its two rocker arms are loose. Set the static timing as you normally would after that. Then make sure the plug wire for #1 is on the dizzy cap terminal where the rotor is pointing and arrange the other wires counterclockwise around the cap in the order 1-3-4-2.

[ttl347]

Thanks all. After 20 odd years the engine is running again!

The only issue is that the ignition light won't go out when running.

[dklawson]

Does the car have a generator/dynamo or alternator? I assume you checked the basics like that the belt is tight.

[ttl347]

It's a new dynamo and control box. The belt is tight and the light is not earthing against the speedo body. I'm going to work through the checks as per the ignition light topic posts and hopefully find the fault.

[coop12g295]

Have you polarised the dynamo

[dklawson]

Is the control box new or has it been in service for a while? New control boxes are often shipped with a protective coating on the relay contacts. I was advised to go over/between them several times with a rag dipped in acetone or lacquer thinner.