Posted by Peter Florance on March 10, 2002 at 13:18:41 from 65.120.51.27
In Reply to: Timing Procedure posted by CGW on March 10, 2002 at 13:09:20:
It's not easy the first time. I'm not sure what car you have so I'll speak generically.
All M30 manual transmission flywheels have a steel ball pressed into them at 22 degrees before top dead center. If you notice the timing spec is always 22d BTDC @ RPM where RPM varies from car to car. Auto tranny drive plates have a long pin that denote 22d BTDC. The Haynes shows a little opening at the driver's side rear of engine. If you don't have a timing light that you can dial in the 22d advance, you must use the rear opening and look for the steel ball or long pin. Short pin or 0|T denotes TDC. Try to find the hole with a flash light before you try to time the car.
I'm sure you timed your car at top dead center rather than 22d BDTC.