How do I check valve timing?

[mattsay]

I have "bitten the bullit" and gone for one of VMad's (Chris) Weber Kits and I hope that this does the trick.

However, if the lumpy running and engine vibration is not due to out-of-balance Strommies, how do I check the valve timing? I'm pretty sure the ignition timing is OK. I am very paranoid that when my dizzy destroyed itself and the water pump went at the same time that the timing chain on the left bank could have jumped. There is nothing obvious (to see or hear) from the cam cover though.

The weber kit won't be wasted if it isn't my Strombergs being s**ds - I want the improved reliability and MPG anyway for the long term.

Cheers, Matt.

[mjheathcote]

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If you turn the engine so its at TDC (top dead centre) on the front pulley timing quadrant, the camshafts have a knotch that should then line up with the corresponding knotch on the bearing cap.

[mattsay]

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Hi,

You mean 0 on the scale (not 12 BTDC)?

Can I see the cam marks, by merely taking off the rocker covers? Any pictures, photo's anywhere, or is it that obvious to see? Never looked for it before.

Matt.

[mjheathcote]

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Yes 0,

Its obvious with the camshaft covers off.

[Guest]

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Actually, with a good torch, you can see the cam mark through the oil filler hole on the r/h head. Martin.

[Andy Rundell]

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If you are worried about a chain jumping a tooth i'm not sure how you'd know which cam to check........ so, in my view, you would need to remove both cam covers and check that both cams have their TDC marks at the correct location when the crankshaft pully mark is also at TDC.

..........Andy

[mattsay]

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Hi Guys,

Thanks Andy, I will check both cams anyway. The torch could well save me taking the RH cover off - thanks for the tip Martin - anything to save time and get this baby roaring, hopefully soon. I still hope it was the carbs causing the problems. Looking at how the timing chains are located I would have thought that the chain would snap rather than jump a tooth as I think I'm right in saying that the chainsare actually connected to 3 sprockets, so I presume it would have to jump on all 3? Could be talkng tosh of course!and I'm sure other threads exist of jumping chains.

If it has how bad would the vibration be and what's the remedy - bit of a strip down I suppose.

6 weeks ownership and no miles so far.

Cheers.

[Klaus Schlueter]

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Hi matt

could it be that your engine is running on less than 8 cylinders? Broken lead, spark plug problem etc. Have you checked that?

Klaus

[mattsay]

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Hi Klaus,

I don't know if you are into football but congrats anyway. Discipline, skill, killer instinct - everything you expect from a good German team, let alone a young and emerging one. Hope you go all the way now, although Lampard's "goal" would have made it more interesting last weekend. In a typically English way, wemight at least say we went out to the winners!

Anyway back to a subject definitely close to both our hearts - the Stag.

I have checked and double checked the ignition system. New Silicon leads, new NGK plugs, new rotor arm, new dissy cap, new coil (12v Flamethrower) to go with Aldon Ignitor electronic ignition. Timing checked several times (static and strobe).

It does sound like it's not running on eight but there is a good fat spark at each plug, so I have convinced myself it is valve timing, or hopefully the carbs (seeing as i have a Weber kit on order).

Cheers Klaus, Matt.

[nib]

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Matt,are you sure the plug leads are definitely all in the right place,its an easy mistake to make,speaking from experience.

Mark

[jleyton]

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Do you feel your lumpy running and engine vibration are definitely linked ? How would you describe the vibration - what circumstances, what revs?

Cheers

Julian

[mattsay]

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Hi Mark,

I have thought (and hoped) that I had made this mistake. I have checked it several times and unless my firing order isn't 1,2,7,8,4,5,6,3 and no.2 timed at 12 deg BTDC, I have them on correctly. Checking the timing (static) with no.2 at TDC the rotor arm points to HT lead no.2 and the scale is at 12 deg BTDC.

Unless I have a complete misunderstanding of this, I'm pretty sure it's OK. I would love it to be such a simple fix.

Cheers,

Matt.

[StagnJag]

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Dodgy viscous couplings can often cause an engine vibration, is yours ok? When you grab the fan (Engine off :shock there should be no forward and back movement at all, and it should not spin freely.

Rgds

Dave

[mattsay]

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Cheers Dave,

I'll try it againbut I'm pretty sure its OK. I tried it when I first got it a few weeks ago. No vibration at that stage, but knew to look for it as a potential fault.

Thanks.

[Klaus Schlueter]

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Hi Matt,

sorry for the goal not given and thanks for the fair comment. Spot on Jogi Löw and his team - very impressive and fun to watch.

By the way, as far as I know Jogi Löw is without contract at the moment and it is going to become very expensive for the German Football Ass. to get him under contract again for the next season (or for another country....?)

Cheers Klaus