Distributor removal and timing tips

[lanciamad]

With the weather as it is, I need to pick a dry day after work to remove the distributor; run by the aux shaft of a 1600 HPE. I've never had to remove it before, is it just un-doing the 13mm nut holding the assembly down into the block and lifting the distributor out with the shaft, or is there something else involved?
With this in mind, is there any useful tips for trying to keep the timing correct while removing and refitting? Is it a case of just relying on marking things in relation to each other.
Hopefully the replies will be useful to more than just me in the future.
Thanks, Marcus.

[capriblu]

With the weather as it is, I need to pick a dry day after work to remove the distributor; run by the aux shaft of a 1600 HPE. I've never had to remove it before, is it just un-doing the 13mm nut holding the assembly down into the block and lifting the distributor out with the shaft, or is there something else involved?
With this in mind, is there any useful tips for trying to keep the timing correct while removing and refitting? Is it a case of just relying on marking things in relation to each other.
Hopefully the replies will be useful to more than just me in the future.
Thanks, Marcus.

Dead simple.  Exactly as you say, undo 13mm nut and carefully withdraw.   

When I have done it (a couple of times) then before undoing/removal I have marked top of distributor cap to retain correct plug lead sequence/firing order, removed cap and made a reference to direction that rotor arm is pointing and similarly recorded angular position that body of distributor is sitting (use position of cap clips + pick-up wire exit).  Then just put back as closely as possible obviously making sure that leads are attached in correct order AND position relative to rotor arm.   Statement of the obvious but crank position needs to be unchanged between removal and refit, i.e. a big shove while left in gear might be enough to cause a problem. (Mark position of one of the timing belt wheels for peace of mind).

Final timing can be done by ear and test drive - best way IMHO!

[75coupe]

Static timing is set on no.4 cylinder on Betas. It is easy to get it 180 degrees out! I would recommend:

1. Take oil filler cap off so you can see No.1 cylinder (waterpump end) exhaust cam lobe
2. turn engine over until crank pulley marker lines up with static 10 deg before TDC mark (on cam cover usually)
3. Check exhaust lobe position on No.1. It should be pointing downwards at final stage of closing valve. This means No 1. is on the "overlap", exhaust closing inlet opening, and No.4 is nearly at top of compression stroke about to fire.
4. If No.1 exhaust cam lobe is pointing straight up, No.1 is on firing stroke, so keep turning engine over until you come back to 10 deg BTDC again on No.4
5. The rotor arm should now be directly pointing to No.4 lead on the cap. On most Bosch distributors there is also a line where the cap seats on the base in the same place that you can line up the rotor arm with.
6. Note position of dizzy in block, undo M8 nut and withdraw!
7. Note plug lead order before removing all leads! Firing rotation is clockwise and lead order is 1-3-4-2
8. When refitting line up rotor arm with line on dizzy first then insert, making sure rotor arm is held in place so it does not move.
9. When inserting make sure shaft splines engage in aux shaft driven gear. Don't forget gasket on base to block or you will have an oil leak....
10. Check static timing is 10 deg BTDC, rotor arm pointing to No.4 lead, refit clamp & just nip up bolt.
11. Re fit cap & leads, vacuum advance etc. Start & check timing with a strobe.

Easy.....

[lukasdeopalenica]

Static timing is set on no.4 cylinder on Betas. It is easy to get it 180 degrees out!

Fortunatelly the problem has been solved in the late Betas, at least equipped with a Marelli 808 distributor having not symmetrical incision on the shaft. This allows for only one correct position.

[75coupe]

Yes for the cam end driven types on IE and VX it is not a problem.....Only the carburettor types with block mounted distributor have this problem.

[lanciamad]

Thanks for that write up Ian, very detailed and will make sure I don't forget anything. I'm sure it will be very useful for others in the future. I turned the engine over until all the marks lined up for tdc with rotor arm facing at number 4, so it should be relatively easy when I get it back from being refurbed.
Cheers, Marcus.

[mangocrazy]

Static timing is set on no.4 cylinder on Betas. It is easy to get it 180 degrees out! I would recommend:

1. Take oil filler cap off so you can see No.1 cylinder (waterpump end) exhaust cam lobe
2. turn engine over until crank pulley marker lines up with static 10 deg before TDC mark (on cam cover usually)
3. Check exhaust lobe position on No.1. It should be pointing downwards at final stage of closing valve. This means No 1. is on the "overlap", exhaust closing inlet opening, and No.4 is nearly at top of compression stroke about to fire.
4. If No.1 exhaust cam lobe is pointing straight up, No.1 is on firing stroke, so keep turning engine over until you come back to 10 deg BTDC again on No.4
5. The rotor arm should now be directly pointing to No.4 lead on the cap. On most Bosch distributors there is also a line where the cap seats on the base in the same place that you can line up the rotor arm with.
6. Note position of dizzy in block, undo M8 nut and withdraw!
7. Note plug lead order before removing all leads! Firing rotation is clockwise and lead order is 1-3-4-2
8. When refitting line up rotor arm with line on dizzy first then insert, making sure rotor arm is held in place so it does not move.
9. When inserting make sure shaft splines engage in aux shaft driven gear. Don't forget gasket on base to block or you will have an oil leak....
10. Check static timing is 10 deg BTDC, rotor arm pointing to No.4 lead, refit clamp & just nip up bolt.
11. Re fit cap & leads, vacuum advance etc. Start & check timing with a strobe.

Easy.....

Presumably the same applies when retrofitting a carb-type block-mounted distributor to an i.e. block? I want to do this fairly soon, before that part of the engine gets cluttered up with alternators and fan-belts, but want to make sure it's all timed up correctly. There are obviously no previous marks I can line it up with, so it's a start from square one job. Unfortunately the Haynes manual completely omits distributor removal/replacement on electronic ignition engines. Plenty of info on points engines, of course...

[Neil-yaj396]

It's a full static timing job as above. Can't think why it wouldn't work on your ie block. The fine tuning thereafter would be best done with a strobe light I guess.

[mangocrazy]

Thanks Neil. I'm sure it will be fine; just a bit apprehensive as it's the first time I've done the timing on a Beta. Any recommendations for strobe lights? Is it necessary to pay extra for a good one, or are cheap and cheerful OK?

[JohnFol]

An old topic I know but some useful, relevant info to my question. Distributor has been removed and overhauled so I need to line it up relative to TDC

Car is a 2000 carb, and the timing mark is not on cam cover, but "block" as per photo. I've lined it up and I've removed plugs to confirm pistons 1&4 are up, 2&3 are down. Knowing that either 1 or 4 could be on the verge of ignition I checked the cam lobe and expected it to be up or down as per points 3/4 in 75Coupe's post. Photo shows it's not really either, and a crude measurement of cylinder heights gives 3cm between those up vs those down. I'd assume it should be about 9cm as that's the stroke length.

So my guess is the timing mark is unreliable.

I'm guessing my option is to turn the crank until I get No.4 at max height and cam lobe 1 either up/down and just go from there.

Any guidance appreciated

[JohnFol]

Timing mark

[peteracs]

Hi John

If it was me I would get an approx tdc by measuring the position of the piston as you have already just before tdc and just after at the same amount it is down the bore, marking each position on the block or the yellow cover next to the crank pulley. Then bisect the positions and you should ha e approx tdc.

Next remove one of the cam covers and watch the exhaust or inlet cams for when it is on the firing stroke whilst you rotate the crank pulley.

Just my two penny worth.

I would be surprised if the tdc is not pointing to somewhere on the yellow cover, though happy to be proved wrong!

Peter

[JohnFol]

Thanks Peter, will give it a try. Might invest in the right sized socket to make turning crank easier!

[peteracs]

Hi John

Get an impact one, I found it useful if you need to remove the nut without too much drama…..

Peter

[mangocrazy]

Hi John, the only truly accurate way to establish what the timing marks on you crank pulley relate to in terms of BTDC and TDC are by using a dial gauge on #4 cylinder to establish TDC accurately. Then check the crank pulley carefully to see what mark lines up with the pointer. That is your TDC mark. From that, and using a degree wheel, you can then establish what is 10 degrees BTDC (idle) and 28 degrees BTDC (full advance).

Having said that, you could probably get away with using a pencil as a dial gauge once you are reasonably close to TDC - when the pencil is at its highest, you've found TDC. But be sure that the piston is close to the top of its stroke - dropping a pencil into a bore with the piston at BDC would be a grievous thing to do. And the (Impact) socket size you need is 38mm. Apologies if you knew this already.

This is a link to the thread where I embarked on my journey of discovery...

https://www.lanciabeta.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4664.msg33109#msg33109

[JohnFol]

I went for a more technical "long screwdriver" approach


Amazing how I've gone from adjustable spanner to considering £12 for a 38mm Impact socket, and then seeing the false economy in not buying a 22 piece set for £50.... Just to turn the engine round twice

[peteracs]

Hi John

Yes, but you need a 36mm for the hub nuts as well …….

Peter