Setting ignition timing from scratch?

[Shifty]

So you were lazy and removed the distributor without making any marks or setting the engine to TDC first. Nothing in the FAQ about it, so I thought I would post up to check my plans are right and hopefully be of use to someone else.

So, I need to (correct me if I'm wrong, please!):

1. rotate the engine to TDC (Top Dead Centre) on the compression stroke for cylinder #1.

• rotate engine until piston is at the top
• if both valves are closed then this is where we need to be and we can move onto step 2.
• if the intake valve is closed and the exhaust valve is open then we are on the ehxuast stroke & the engine needs to be rotated another 360 degrees to get to TDC on the compression stroke.

2. once this is done the distributor needs to go back in (and this is where my question lies).

• at TDC on the compression stroke on cylinder #1 the plug should be firing
• slide the distributor back in so that the rotor it is pointing at #1 on the distibutor cap
• bear in mind the distributor will rotate a bit as the gear slides into place so you will need to put it in off by a tooth or two so that it ends up in the right place when you slide it in.
• put the bolts back into the distributor but don't do them up too far as you'll need to rotate the distributor in the next step

I'm not 100% sure if there's anything here that I've missed as far as lining up anything internally on the distributor before you put it in?

3. At this point, the engine should (hopefully) run.
from here, timing needs to be set to the factory settings

• based on a quick Google search this is 10 degrees BTDC (Before Top Dead Centre) for a bigport 4AGE
• start the engine and let it get to normal operating temperature
• short together the terminals T & E1 on the diagnostics box in the engine bay (normally near the strut tower) with a piece of wire/paperclip/whatever
• The idle should drop a little
• Using a timing light, set the timing to the correct point.
• Tighten up the bolts
• Fucken woosh, you're off.

So.... where did I stuff up?

[Chrisso]

The 4age dissy has marks on the shaft (a dimple) that should line up with a mark on the exhaust cam according to the engine manual. Your method looks pretty right to me. There's no reason this shouldn't start and then as stated us the timing light to set correctly.

[Shifty]

The 4age dissy has marks on the shaft (a dimple) that should line up with a mark on the exhaust cam according to the engine manual.

Any more info on this? I don't have a manual, just a set of tools and some balls

Your method looks pretty right to me. There's no reason this shouldn't start and then as stated us the timing light to set correctly

[Celica_73]

When lining the dizzy up you do it to turn the engine for the timing marks not TDC. Then you need to see the Points or the relator to either points just start to open or the relator point is meeting the sensor. This well get the timing closer making it easier to start. Once started like you said timing light move dizzy around until correct timing is achieved.

[Chrisso]

No points in this one, EFI and ecu controlled spark. If you look on the dissy shaft near the gear you'll see the little divot, look like the beginning of a drilling point. This should line up to engine at 10* BTDC and dissy rotor pointing at #1 post.

[DX20VT]

Try this

[Chrisso]

^^^That's what I was attempting to describe.