M20 Timing Help

[clhorton]

Hey guys, my M20 engine has the timing belt off and is not at TDC. How can I rotate the cam and crankshaft back to TDC marks on each without having to worry about bending a valve. Thanks in advance!

[WarrenBrown]

Without removing the head, I think the best shot you have is to renistall a belt as best you can and rotate to TDC. Assuming nothing has rotated since the belt was removed my guess is that you will be within 1 or 2 teeth of being right.

I would suggest to remove the plugs and rotate the engine by hand.

That is my $0.02, no guarantees.

Warren
88 325iX
91 318is
95 525iT

[Dave M]

I don't believe you can damage a valve by hand turning a crank/cam.

Anyhow, if you want to feel safe, check how far cylinder one is from TDC it is by looking at the harmonic marks and turn it in whatever directon ittakes the least distance to get there (you know what I mean ;) ). Now set the cam.

For 'fun', if you want to know where each piston is, slide straws or something similar into eack spark plug hole and watch what each does as you turn the crank slightly in both directions. You can now see where they are in relation to the valves.

Dave M