Initial Timing

[therat]

Hi
Could someone please tell me the correct initinal timing for a tercel with a 3AC motor with an electronic dizzy(builtin coil)
I think here in Australia the 87 -88 model where the last of the tercel 4wd wagons before they went to the transverse corolla sr5s
cheers!
Rat

[keith]

If the distributor has working mechanical and vacuum advances, then turn the engine until the timing mark on the front pulley is lined up with the 5°BTDC on the timing belt cover.

Make sure its on #1, both #1 and #4 are at TDC at the same time. If in doubt, remove your valve cover and check the valve lash for #1, both should have a little lash. If one or both valves are down and #4's valves are loose, then rotate the engine 360°.

Now line up the vane of the reluctor with the thin exposed line on the ignitor. Put on the rotor and check that it points to the #1 post on the distributor cap when the cap is installed.

A little trick here is to make a line in the distributor body where the #1 post is located at before removing the cap. Do not mark the cap itself.

[Mac]

my trick for finding TDC is remove the spark plug from the number 1 cylinder, and put my thumb over the hole, turn the engine over by hand until you can feel pressure pushing your thumb away.

now, get a long screwdriver, and gently put it into the spark plug hole, turn the engine over and the screwdriver will be a clear indication of how far up the piston is sitting, once you find TDC, set the degrees and carry on with keiths method.

a timing light is the best way to set ignition timing, but if you don't have access to one, I like keiths field expedient method.

[keith]

I should have been a little clearer, this is my method for initial timing, I follow up with a light. However I am usually within 1 degree, often right on the money.