Hi, i wanted to play with the timing of my car but i dont understand the timing marks! how is it graduated... what triangle should be the 0*, pics would be great I have stock lg4, my timing marks are rust colors and dont seem to have numbers on. there is a triangle that is bigger... where should the 0* be on the tip of it?? An other question: I have an intake leak, i think it makes my car miss (at any rpm! make car shake, yes i did a full tune up), should i get felpro or victor jr gasket(or something like that)? i have to say i'd go with felpro because they cost less for me (rebate) if felpro is there alots of different one or there all blue?

yanfoo,
Whats up. Don't ever trust the timing tab. The balancer is made in two pieces with a rubber layered center. Over time the outside of the balancer actually shifts and the timing marks become inaccurate. Do yourself a favor and buy some timing tape ($5.95 in summit, there is no part #). Get piston #1 at TDC and where the timing tab has the arrow put 0 degree (or TDC, which ever the tape has). Wrap balancer. Standing from the drivers side looking down the numbers going up the balancer (around toward pass side) are advanced and numbers going down (towards the ground) are retarded.
How do you know its an intake leak?? Tune up meaning what?? If it is an intake leak then the intake will decide which gaskets to use. If its stock then just use the permatorque felpros. If its an aftermarket aluminum then get the printoseal felpros (summit part # fpp-1256) there 15 bucks and well worth it IMHO.

How can I know when the piston # 1 is exactly at TDC, in order to review the right timing marks???.

(I think introducing a large "pin" for the spark plug hole and looking for the most "high position", turning the engine mannualy).

Note that 0º is only one position into 360 .

Thanks,

Denis V.

Thanks for the reply,
the tune up i did was cap,rotor,wires & plugs cap and rotor are from NAPA brand (brass connector) and wires are "Standard PLUS" brand... dont know if any good i think it's 7mm... i used the cheapest Delco plugs not the platinum or rapidfire... I have access to a Scope the dwell and raster patern made by the coil seems all good.

I do have stock intake i'll check my gasket if it's a permatorque felpros, i guess the carb base gasket will also be a permatorque felpros. I'll be doing the job myself, yes i'll get some news bolts
btw: it's kinda leaking some oil from a bolt?!?!

Question:
About #1TDC , do i get it there while having a "rod" in the sparkplug hole and wait to feel it go down after compression then i back up in the "middle" of the *flat* spot (i'm sure there is a name for that moment) yes, no? can i or can't because valve will squeeze my "rod"? Or maybe i just rely on the original mark on the crank?

Marks are rusted off...
Sorry look like i did the little drawing inverted!
so where is the 0* and how the degree works on this...

Yan,
Does the car burn oil at startup? If it does then the intake leak might be on the bottom side and may be sucking oil up from the lifter valley into the intake. (I had same prob) *note*not only reason for smoking startup just a thought*. Even so go to the auto parts store and buy some carb cleaner. start the car and spray the carb cleaner all around the base of the intake. Listen for a change in the idle. If there is then this is definetely a sign that there is a leak. your intake gaskets from summit are fpp-1204 $12.95. Just go to the local auto parts store and buy a Mr. Gasket carb to intake gasket ( about 6 bucks).
What bolts are you talking about?? Intake bolts? Oil is leaking from them? are you sure your valve cover isn't leaking? check um.
As for TDC (top dead center). take #1 plug out and have a friend jump the the drivers seat. Put your finger over the plug hole and have your friend "bump" the motor over and feel for the compression (air will force itself out of the hole, if it sucks then the piston is descending.) keep bumping the motor over until the comp starts to stop then stick your pinky in the plug hole and wait until it comes to very top (barely bumping motor at this point). Or if you have a oil dipstick laying around you could use this to feel. Valves will not squeeze anything because they are around the plug hole not over it.

damn that nasty. LOL. I'm not sure by looking at the pic. Anyway you could clean it off and take an above pic for me? If its real bad I would recommend gettting another. It just bolts up using the timing chain bolts. Don't think they are very expensive.

btw- saw your little drawing. I could be mistaken but I think the widest valley on the right is 0 degrees.

thanx i'll do the rod thing to find #1... i'll may have time this week, yes i see a "puff" of smoke "sometimes" but the engine have to be hot... also the car take little bit of oil, like half a quart between each oil change...
I like in canada, no summit around here, i'll get the gasket at CanadianTire --> where i work... 22$ canadian for the intake gasket, dont know the carb one alredy.

Yes oil from the intake bolt on the passenger side... if i recal it's the middle one. * i had a water leek for a heater hose and it came up after that,hot prestone must have went there and hate the gasket?! fixed now*

that fpp-1204 number is summit number right!
in the felpro book at canadiantire the number is MS93317
that's 1987 T/A 305 vin H "Carburated"... should permatorque be blue? I'll go buy them tomorow...

So you see smoke sometimes. The leak might be on the bottom but still check the top with carb cleaner.
Not sure why that particular bolt is leaking oil. You are positive its not a leaking valve cover on that side?
Yes, the permatorques are blue. The port size should be 1.23*1.99".