1988 engine timing procedure
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 133
Likes: 6
From: Dallas, TX
1988 engine timing procedure
Hello all. I got my 88 running, but it ran terribly and had a miss (brand-new plugs and wires). So I decided to buy a new distributor in hopes that'll fix my issue. I've done the timing procedure twice (turn the engine over until the timing mark lines up, make sure the rotor is pointing at #1, reassemble and run), the funny thing is it only worked once. How do I make sure the engine is at TDC on the compression stroke? I'd love to be able to actually drive this car instead of it being a damn paperweight in the garage. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks y'all!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 700
From: Clark, NJ
Find the timing mark on the balancer and timing chain cover.
1. Put your finger over the spark plug hole for cylinder #1 and see when you have compression while turning the engine by hand.
2. Remove the driver side valve cover and watch the rocker arms move for cylinder #1 while turning the engine by hand.
1. Put your finger over the spark plug hole for cylinder #1 and see when you have compression while turning the engine by hand.
2. Remove the driver side valve cover and watch the rocker arms move for cylinder #1 while turning the engine by hand.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 133
Likes: 6
From: Dallas, TX
Find the timing mark on the balancer and timing chain cover.
1. Put your finger over the spark plug hole for cylinder #1 and see when you have compression while turning the engine by hand.
2. Remove the driver side valve cover and watch the rocker arms move for cylinder #1 while turning the engine by hand.
1. Put your finger over the spark plug hole for cylinder #1 and see when you have compression while turning the engine by hand.
2. Remove the driver side valve cover and watch the rocker arms move for cylinder #1 while turning the engine by hand.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 302
On the way to TDC during the compresion stroke, both valves are closed.
I would remove all the spark plugs though, that way it's easy to turn the engine over. You'll hear the air pushing out of each cylinder as each one passes through it's compression stroke.
But like the previous poster said, you'll feel it push on your finger when you get to the #1 cylinder.
I would remove all the spark plugs though, that way it's easy to turn the engine over. You'll hear the air pushing out of each cylinder as each one passes through it's compression stroke.
But like the previous poster said, you'll feel it push on your finger when you get to the #1 cylinder.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 133
Likes: 6
From: Dallas, TX
On the way to TDC during the compresion stroke, both valves are closed.
I would remove all the spark plugs though, that way it's easy to turn the engine over. You'll hear the air pushing out of each cylinder as each one passes through it's compression stroke.
But like the previous poster said, you'll feel it push on your finger when you get to the #1 cylinder.
I would remove all the spark plugs though, that way it's easy to turn the engine over. You'll hear the air pushing out of each cylinder as each one passes through it's compression stroke.
But like the previous poster said, you'll feel it push on your finger when you get to the #1 cylinder.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 133
Likes: 6
From: Dallas, TX
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 133
Likes: 6
From: Dallas, TX
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,537
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From: NE Ohio
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
there is a brown and white wire by the driver side firewall near the distributor. Pull the connector and your timing will retard. Set your timing at 6*. when you reconnect the connector your timing should advance to aprox 26*. Recheck to be sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 302
You'll also get a SES code set when you run the engine with that connector unplugged. Can unplug power from the ECM to clear the code after shutting down the engine. Or not...in which case the code will remain stored in the ECM, but not really affect engine operation.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 133
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From: Dallas, TX