Where is the timing mark on the crank?

A timing mark is an indicator used for setting the timing of the ignition system of an engine, typically found on the crankshaft pulley (as pictured) or the flywheel, being the largest radius rotating at crankshaft speed and therefore the place where marks at one degree intervals will be farthest apart.

How do I know if my engine is TDC?

Once the top dead center timing mark is lined up with the marker on the engine, the motor should now be at top dead center. To verify, shine the flashlight down into the spark plug hole. You should be able to see the top of the piston clearly near the top of the cylinder.

Can timing make a car run rich?

No, but it can make it smell ‘acidic’ or sharp with increased NOx. It would not smell rich. If you smell gas, it’s idle mixture, or a small leak, or a hot carb percolating fuel, or your tank venting, etc.

Should timing marks always line up?

Make sure you know where the timing marks are on your engine, and that you have them set up properly with No. After you remove the top section of the timing belt cover, you should see a timing mark on the camshaft sprocket — this mark usually lines up with the edge of the cylinder head or valve cover.

How do you check timing without a timing light?

to set your base timing without a light, you just turn the motor over in it’s normal direction of rotation until the mark lines up with where you want it.. loosen up the distributor and hook up a spare spark plug to the #1 plug wire.. turn the distributor until it sparks..

Where does the crankshaft go when setting to TDC?

So, if you simply set the crankshaft to TDC without looking at the position of the camshaft, you may actually be at TDC on the exhaust stroke for cylinder #1.

How can I tell if my engine is at TDC?

So, after you get the crankshaft (by flywheel indication or by checking actual piston location), check the camshaft sprocket to make sure the camshaft alignment mark is at the TDC position as well. This procedure can be performed by one person. However, it is much easier to perform with two people.

How to tell when engine is close to top dead center?

Note: If this is being performed by one person, the alignment mark on the camshaft sprocket can be used to determine when the engine is close to Top Dead Center (TDC). However, the flywheel should be used for final alignment in case the timing is off slightly.

Where to find alignment mark on camshaft sprocket?

The camshaft sprocket alignment mark is visible through the opening in the front distributor housing cover just above the distributor cap. When the letters “OT” are visible in the window, continue to rotate the engine clockwise until the scribe mark (line) beside the “OT” is aligned with the tab inside the window.