Timing Mark on Opel GT 1900?

[Brohate]

Could someone tell me where to find that dang timing mark on an 70 GT 1900? You know, that elusive lil post with the ball on the end of itI've looked over, under, around and aall over to find the thing. Shop manual illustrations aren't very explicite when it comes to initially looking for it! Thanks.

[Brohate]

Could someone tell me where to find that dang timing mark on an 70 GT 1900? You know, that elusive lil post with the ball on the end of itI've looked over, under, around and aall over to find the thing. Shop manual illustrations aren't very explicite when it comes to initially looking for it! Thanks.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Brohate Could someone tell me where to find that dang timing mark on an 70 GT 1900? You know, that elusive lil post with the ball on the end of itI've looked over, under, around and aall over to find the thing. Shop manual illustrations aren't very explicite when it comes to initially looking for it! Thanks.

There is a small window/opening on the block section that bolts to the bellhousing on the passenger side. Look below the exhaust manifold and you will eventually spot it.

HTH,
Harold

[Brohate]

Thanks Harold, the search is on!

[jlthunder]

On the passenger side of the engine, where the engine is attached to the transmission, you will see a open hole in the engine casting and you can see the flywheel. The hole will have a little pointer cast into it. It is difficult to see on a GT, but much easier on all other Opels. A BB like item is cast into the flywheel and will match up to the pointer. This is TDC for piston # 1 and # 4.

The picture in the manual looks like the pointer and ball are one piece. They are two pieces. The easiest way to find the ball on the flywheel is to attach a 19 mm socket to the front crank pully, slowly turn the engine and look for the ball. Once you see the ball, clean it with a degreaser and then paint it.

Hope that helps

[CDN OpelNut]

Originally Posted by Brohate Could someone tell me where to find that dang timing mark on an 70 GT 1900? You know, that elusive lil post with the ball on the end of itI've looked over, under, around and aall over to find the thing. Shop manual illustrations aren't very explicite when it comes to initially looking for it! Thanks.

Although it may appear so in the illustrations, the lil post does not have the ball on the end of it. You're looking for the sharp pointer that is cast into the block. The ball is on the flywheel and won't be visible in the window until the flywheel is in the correct position.

[First opel 1981]

Once you locate the ball bearing and line it up, it would be advisable to mark the flywheel so you can set the timing from the front of the engine instead of the hole in the block.
The timing cover has marks on it that you can use to gauge varied degrees of timing. It's also MUCH easier to see the front of the engine than it is to see a timing light on the flywheel.

[timemachine]

When I was static timing an GT for a friend, I turned the engine to the general neighborhood where the distributor rotor pointed to about 4 o'clock.

Then, instead of trying to look for the bb on the flywheel (which is hard to see) I just held my finger against the flywheel alongside the pointer in the hole in the rear engine flange. Then, with the car in 2nd gear, I pushed my shoulder against the windshield or pulled on the A pillar until I felt the bb and the pointer line up. (Don't get your finger pinched!)

Then I set the handbrake and set the static timing by aligning the line in the tip of the rotor with the line scribed into the distributor housing (the part the distributor cap clamps to).

This only works if you have a manual transmission, with an auto you could have someone move the crank pulley with a 19mm socket until it lines up.

Like FirstOpel said, while it's lined up is a good time to line up a chisel mark on the timing cover and pulley so you can put a dot of paint on both marks next time you're using a timing light.

Jim

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by Brohate Could someone tell me where to find that dang timing mark on an 70 GT 1900? You know, that elusive lil post with the ball on the end of itI've looked over, under, around and aall over to find the thing. Shop manual illustrations aren't very explicite when it comes to initially looking for it! Thanks.

You can set the initial time on the engine by removing the cam cover, turning the crank clockwise with a 19mm wrench and looking at the cam sprocket. When the cam sprocket guide pin is at the six o'clock position, #1 piston is at (or very near) top dead center. Rotate the distributor housing for the mark to line up with the rotor and you are very close to where you need to be.

Fire up the engine with a timming light attached and pointed to the window where the pointer is at. When piston #1 goes to top dead center, the light will flash and you will see the little ball line up or be near with the pointer.

This of course will only work if the little ball still there. I have both 1.9L engines in my cars without it so it requires rethinking at that point.

Hope this helps as it has helped me in the past.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by blancojp You can set the initial time on the engine by removing the cam cover, turning the crank clockwise with a 19mm wrench and looking at the cam sprocket. When the cam sprocket guide pin is at the six o'clock position, #1 piston is at (or very near) top dead center. Rotate the distributor housing for the mark to line up with the rotor and you are very close to where you need to be.

Trying not to make this thread any more confusing or complicated. I wouldn't worry about pulling the front cam cover. I would follow the rest of Juan's instructions though. That is IF the car has been running and you have not rearranged the plug wires since the car was running. Reason: Some people NOT familiar with the Opel engines install the distributor 180 deg. off and correct the problem by switching the wiring. Your number 1 wire should be at or near the mark Juan was referring to on the top edge of the distributor near the notch. If it is popping and backfiring through the carb it is likely 180 deg. off. I think that's what it does when this happens, I've never made that mistake though.

HTH,

Harold

[Brohate]

Found it, thanks all!!!!

Found the timing marks and aligned it. The manuals seem to throw you off a bit with the rotor and mark on the distributor. Reset the distributor with the timing marks on the flywheel, moved a few wires to hit cylinder 1, and away I went!!! Too cool after 28 years of "resting" Bessy Lou! Thanks, this forum has been invaluable with getting her back on the road.

[Brohate]

Found it! Reset the distributor and wires, and away I went. Thanks to all who replied. This site is an invaluable tool to keeping our Opels on the road!