Alternative timing mark

Post by **polo2k** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:25 am

Hi all Ive got my engine in a million pieces right now and was just thinking; since the original timing marks are such a pain to see, and my timing cover doesnt have the triangles on it... Could i just use the flywheel? Would I be ok to mark the flywheel up on the engine side before fitting? there fore to get a decent view you could pull the started out (2 bolts) rather than pulling all the front off.
Presumably since the flywheel is so much larger it would be much more accurate.

TDC is going to be a piece of cake but... how far apart would each degree be on the flywheel?
is it really as simple as measire the diameter then multiply by pie and then divide by 360?

Post by **wanderinstar** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:38 am

Far easier to get a timing cover an front pulley from a Mini. They have timing marks on the top of pulley. Far easier to read. Added bonus is that you can fit a timing chain tensioner as well, instead of the 2 large "O" rings.

Post by **Alec** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:21 am

Hello Ash,

yes the flywheel would be a lot more accuate, but much more difficult than Ian's suggestion.

Finding TDC, however, is not as easy as you think as at TDC and BDC the angular movement of the crank is very large relative to piston movement. The usual method is to measure a specific distance of piston movement about TDC before and after, mark the pulley then divide the two marks in half.

Alec

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:09 pm

Pulling out the starter to see timing marks ??? You must be a glutton for punishment. No real need for 'timing marks' - I 've never seen the need! Just advance ignition till it pinks - then back off very slightly. Job done.

Post by **RobThomas** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:41 pm

Hope this pic explains.
Rob<br>

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Post by **aupickup** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:42 pm

hmm i just listen to the engine

never used timing marks anyway

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:13 pm

Exactly!

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:27 pm

hmm i just listen to the engine

I prefer the Radio

Post by **Alec** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:32 pm

Hello Kevin,

I'm the opposite, I prefer the engine (No radio or anything else audio for that matter fitted) but it is a nice 6 cylinder Triumph.

Alec

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:18 pm

No Wireless for me either - mine is a more modern 4 cylinder Triumph! Although the shriek of an A series in full flight is interesting too!

Post by **IslipMinor** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:36 pm

I would not subscribe to guessing where the timing is set, particularly after a complete rebuild - which is the original question in this post.

I have made a more visible timing mark on the top left of the timing cover (looking from the front of the engine), using a white paint pencil.

Set the engine at TDC using the standard timing marks, and draw a line on the timing cover and then across onto the pulley - the mark should be on the return edge of the cover, not on the front face, and visible from above. Make sure they are properly in line before going on to the next step.

To give 5°, 10° advance marks, put a line on the pulley 5mm, 10mm etc. to the RIGHT of the pulley TDC mark, again looking from the front of the engine. On the outside diameter of the pulley, it is near enough exactly 1mm around the circumference per degree of crankshaft rotation.

You now have nice clear, visible marks that can be used for either static or stroboscopic dynamic timing.