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Timing mark question...

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Liveinaz, Jul 27, 2005.

  1. Jul 27, 2005
    Liveinaz

    Liveinaz New Member

    Phoenix AZ
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2005
    Messages:
    22
    I am sorry to ask this if it has already been asked, but I just spent about an hour searching for the answer to this question...

    I have the 4-cylinder 134 engine in a 61 Jeep...I am trying to time it, but I can not find the marks. There is a metal thing that sticks out from the front of the engine on the passenger side, but there are no marks on it, and there are no marks from what i can see on the pullys.

    I read somewhere about the marks being seen through a window above the start on the crank shaft...this sounds stange to me, but who knows!!!

    I just bought this jeep and have found some stanger things already...HA...like the drivers side lug nuts being reversed threads!!! HA I love this stuff! I am looking forward to getting this thing moving once again!

    Thanks.
     
    Liveinaz, Jul 27, 2005
    #1
  2. Jul 27, 2005
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    The timing marks can be either on the front pulley, or on the flywheel as you mentioned. On the pulley, there should be one line scribed on it, and that corresponds with the marks on the tab on the timing cover. You normally will have a lot of grease and crud on there, so you may have to do some scraping and cleaning to get to see them.

    Some engines have the marks on the front side (toward the front of the Jeep) of the flywheel and there is a corresponding hole in the plate that is sandwiched between the bellhousing and the block. This is the sight hole, and you shine the timing light inside to time the engine. The marks are next to impossible to see when they are dirty, you will have to turn the engine over by hand until it is at TDC and then reach in with a rag and wipe off the oil & crud. Then, a little dab of white paint can be put on the marks to make them more visible.

    Now, on the "real world" side of things i never use the timing marks, other than to get the thing close enough to fire. The L- and F-head engines are low-compression beasts that tend to have a "sweet spot" where it will run like a bear. This can be several degrees or more away from the FSM specs, depending on a buch of variables such as engine condition, altitude, fuel quality , etc.

    I use the timing mark only to get the engine to fire, and then I tune it by ear to where I find that magic spot. You'll know it when you hear it, since the idle will be silky-smooth, with no popping or missing out the tailpipe. The engine HAS to be warm, especially with a solex carb in order to tune it. Once you get the timing dialed in you can set the idle mixture and speed with a vacuum gauge and a tach respectively.

    Hope this helps! :beer:
     
    w3srl, Jul 27, 2005
    #2
  3. Jul 27, 2005
    kamel

    kamel Senior Curmudgeon

    Erlanger, Kentucky
    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2003
    Messages:
    891
    I've seen this done three ways by jeep.

    First, there is a notch cut into the rear pulley of the lower pulley unit. I'd clean it up and dab it with white paint or some flourescent paint. A q tip works nice for this.

    method 1 - there are two factory 'scratches' in the timing chain cover. If the lower engine pulley was a clock they'd be in the 11 o'clock position.
    They are tough to see and require cleaning of the timng chain cover. I'd paint them as well.

    method 2 - same place on the timing chain cover, but there is a small bulge in the timing chain cover. Clean and paint.

    method 3 - there is a metal tab that is bolted to the timing chain cover by using the bolts that hold the cover to the engine.The tab comes out and is bent so that it fits over the edge of the cover and comes down in the same position as the the other methods. Clean and paint.

    the 'scratch' on the left or the left edge of the bulge or the left side of the bent tab is 5 degrees before TDC. The right side of all those three is 0 degrees TDC.

    It is really hard to see these marks without a little paint, but if you are loathe to daub some paint on it, you could use some chalk.
     
    kamel, Jul 27, 2005
    #3
  4. Jul 28, 2005
    66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    NorthWest Indiana
    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
    Messages:
    2,084
    used a wire brush on the pulley to find the marks on the :v6: while running. should work on the :hurrican: : as well.
     
    66cj5, Jul 28, 2005
    #4
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