Hi guys in the process of changing head gasket and Cambelt. Coming to set the engine for timing before I take the old Cambelt off and I’m confused about the timing. The engine seemed to be running fine beforehand but it seems to me the timing is slightly off. the pictures below are how it is now, haven’t taken the Cambelt off just yet https://www.flickr.com/photos/198374601@N06/52911457056/in/dateposted-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/198374601@N06/52911608724/in/dateposted-public/
Check tdc at the bung in the bellhousing. The mark on the auxiliary pulley is really only for setting the dizzy as per factory, and as the dizzy can be rotated itself, that's not such a big deal. The cam is possibly a tooth off, but I'd confirm flywheel tdc first. All info needed in the Rubjonny guide for digifant.
The “v” mark on the flywheel is slightly to the left of the pointer on the housing but still visible. No 1 piston is at the top yet crank and intermediate sprocket don’t align. I’m hesitate to change anything as the engine seemed to run fine, would 1 tooth out make much difference anyway? Maybe someone previous has advanced the cam by 1 tooth intentionally? il wait until I get the head back from the machine shop anyway and see how it plays out once it’s all back together
as tristan said dont worry too much about intermediate shaft marker, almost always way off. whenever belt is done all that matters is the rotor arm points at plug lead #1 and the distributor can be in whatever orientation you like so long as rotor points at #1 this is the only thing the spark cares about if you're going to have head off as long as you have a timing light you're fine, just go ahead and whip it off when cam and crank are just about at TDC. when rebuilding feel free to re-align the intermediate shaft marker if you want to while its all apart you wouldn't mess about putting cam advanced or retarded by a tooth on purpose if the engine is standard, messing with this sort of thing is only required if the engine has had a bit of work done and/or wilder cam, and/or specific need for application. TLDR: set everything to factory, you'll be fine. use timing light when done as per: https://clubgti.com/forums/index.ph...ose-and-tune-your-mk2-digifant-gti-8v.124949/
Thanks both for your replies I feel confident now re-assembling the head and timing, this is a learning curve for me so I’m very great full for these forums! Can always find the answer I’m looking for
