timing a Fiat

[callyspoy]

without a timing cover!
i changed the cam belt today(first time i've done one, wahey!) but don't have a timing cover. the manual says that it uses the timing cover to time it up, i don't have one, so i made a few tipex marks and lined it all up to what i am sure is right.
but...i have no marks to see where TDC is etc and it would be nice to check!
so any tips on how to time one without a cover? or should i just invest in a cover?
cheers
Callum

[dp]

Have you got a dial guage at all? Even without, you can get TDC pretty accurate with a wooden stick (spoon) down No 1 spark plug hole and a good eye or feel. Oh, and a protractor stuck on the crank with plasticine. Take all plugs out to make turning the crank easier. As you turn you'll get a point where the spoon doesn't seem to go any higher for a few degrees. The mid point of this is TDC. Might help if you accurately measure a point where the spoon is still visibly going up, take past TDC to the same point coming down. If the difference between the two is say 12 crank degrees on your protractor, TDC is at the midpoint at 6 degrees. Now reset the protractor at 0 degrees TDC. anticlockwise 7.5-10 degrees before TDC is what you want. If you make a pointer somewhere you can see when it's all back together pointing anywhere on the crank wheel, with the crank at TDC, paint or file a corresponding mark on the crank, same at 10deg BTDC

The cam wheels have a hole drilled in them. These should be inside of the two cam nuts and above the two cam nuts. Or, as you look at engine LH cam should have hole at N.E. and right cam at N.W.
when you time the distributer. You might have pointers built into the water housing that line up with the cam wheel holes at TDC for No1 cylinder. Double check that with manual though. Hope it makes some sense

[Mogwai]

Callum I have just the tool to do that . Wouldn't take 5 minutes to sort out where tdc is

[badobsession]

has any one found a good place for fiat spares
looking for a set of points for the twin cam

or has anyone found a good electronic ignition to fit the twin cam
ta mark.

[Wal]

Hi,
I use the Aldon electronic ignition module in my Twin Cam. Been in there a couple of years now with no problems and it was easy to fit.

I just phoned them up (Aldon Automotive) told them what distributor it was and they sent me the correct module (I think there were 2 different contact type distributors - Marelli and Lucas).

Later 131s and 132s had an electronic ignition system (Bosch or Marelli)

Failing that if you really want to keep the points let me know what distributor you have. If it's the same I'm sure I've got the old set / spare set of points about in the glove box which I could send you.

Regards,
Steven

[bmcecosse]

If you just slipped off one timing belt and slipped on a new one - without moving anything (which is what you are supposed to do!) - then it won't need any new 'timing'.

[dp]

has any one found a good place for fiat spares
looking for a set of points for the twin cam

or has anyone found a good electronic ignition to fit the twin cam
ta mark.

I've phased out my distributor so have some spare unused points if your distributor is a Magnetti Marelli. PM me if so.

It's not straightforward but not really that difficult to fit DIY crank fired Megajolt ignition. I've done this using Megajolt and EDIS. I can go into more detail if it's of interest to anyone.

[badobsession]

Hi,
I use the Aldon electronic ignition module in my Twin Cam. Been in there a couple of years now with no problems and it was easy to fit
Regards,
Steven

thanks for the reply lads ..
was at a show to day (sunday ) and had a look around the auto jumble
with no luck
but one guy did mention the Aldon system he had it in his alvis .

will have a look on the web and see if i can track one down
if no luck i will take you up on the offer .......

to day was the last of the showes for this year so time to strip the truck down for a re fit (not the engine ) but the back pickup bed is getting
re worked so watch out for the pics .
mark..