TQ: 1981 Timing settings

[PaulHere]

Hi Paul I have just bought an X reg 924 - Registered October 1981 if quite good order but sold as a non runner. I have no paperwork with it but it appears someone has changed the timing belt but maybe incorrectly and it coughs and splutters when we have managed to get it to fire. My mechanic thinks it's a timing issue. I wondered if you could help please by letting me have the timing settings for this model - how many degrees before or after TDC, and also should the crank be set to '0' or another setting. I know some cars are set up to plus or minus 5. Kind regardsShaun Woodward

 

[vincematthews]

Assuming it is a 2.0L non-turbo
Turn the engine via the centre bolt on the oil pump so the notch on the V-belt pulley aligns with the pointer on the oil pump casing.
Align the pointer on the cam cover (forward of the oil filler cap) with the dot on the 'rear' of the timing belt pulley.
Fit timing belt and new tensioning pulley. Rotate tensioning pulley about its bolt in direction of engine rotation (counterclockwise) until belt can be barely turned 90 degrees with your fingers on the long leg of the belt. Torque pulley bolt to 29 ft-lb.

9 deg. BTDC at 900rpm
25 deg BTDC at 2500rpm
timing mark (centre one of 30) on fly wheel - use a strobe

with 1 mm valve clearance
intake valve opens 6 deg. BTDC closes 42 deg ABDC
exhaust valve opens 47 deg. BBDC closes 2 deg ATDC

(from Haynes Manual - may have its faults but a useful starting point)