Timing almost 50 degrees off ???

[badmaxdog]

Went to check my timing today and it is almost off by 50 degrees. (I have a light with advance timing) I let the engine warm up, then connected the timing light to No. 1 plug. Then I disconnected and plugged the advance and retard hoses. (actually retard was already plugged) Idle was set at about 900 RPM. I checked the timing at the flyweel and had to advance 50 degrees on the light to get the pointer and ball to line up. Any ideas whats wrong? Could someone have pulled the distributor before and not put it back in correctly??? Car will start and run.

[First opel 1981]

I have an idea. It's quite possible, though not probable, that the timing chain was put on wrong. If the timing chain was correct then the engine should NOT run at 50 degrees off.
Putting the distributor in on the incorrect tooth wouldn't do it because you would just spin the distributor to get it to fire on the ball.
If the timing chain was installed with the hole lined up straight up (or down) then it very well could be off by... you guessed it...50 degrees.

[baz]

i would go back to basics

set the ball to pointer(make sure its ball and not some odd mark on flywheel ) and then set timing up by having the dizzy loose with the cap off line the dizzy #1 mark ( line on edge of dizzy ) to centre of rotor arm , then replace cap

put a spare spark plug in #1 ignition lead and with plug grounded , turn the dizzy a little counter clock wise ( been 26 years since i timed a CIH so it may be the other way ) and back again slowly till you get a spark at plug , tighten dizzy and replace plug lead , add dab of tippex to crank pulley and case to show marks for future use then start engine

hth

[badmaxdog]

O.K. The mark on the flywheel that I was looking at was the wrong one. It was actually a machined hole in the wheel. I found the correct mark after changing my inductive clamp to No. 4 plug wire. I think the light was strobing too much on No. 1 for me to see the correct mark and thought that the hole was the steel ball. Dummy me. I should be still able to time on No.4 on a four cylinder since TDC should be same as No. 1. Correct?? I should probably buy a better light. I read elsewhere on another forum that the stock low compression engine may run a little better with the timing advanced. Anyone else had any experience/advise on this? If so how many degrees should I advance it?

[wrench459]

One and four are companion cylinders.
If the timing light wont trigger off number one most likey open plug wire on ....
You think that timing is important. Nope think more about the burn speed of the fuel your using.

[First opel 1981]

#4 or #1, same timing result.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by badmaxdog I read elsewhere on another forum that the stock low compression engine may run a little better with the timing advanced. Anyone else had any experience/advise on this? If so how many degrees should I advance it?

Keep your total advance in the 35 to 38 deg. range and you should be fine.

Harold

[wrench459]

Time to find true TDC
Before we monkey with the timing.