I'm starting to assemble my 2.3 now, and I want to set the shortblock to TDC before installing then head. I do not have a timing cover for this yet as it has not arived from mitsu.

I was looking for marks on the block for reference, but cannot find any. Am I blind? Do I have to get the timing cover first...? Any help would be appreciated

-James-

 

Shouldn't it be set with a dial indicator anyway? I thought the timing marks weren't really all that accurate. I'm just wondering, not telling you either way.

 

blaaah another tool i have to buy

 

you dont set it with a dial indicator lol...its called a degree wheel

 

I may be remembering incorrectly, but I think the crank trigger has a small notch in it that should be lined up with a small tab that's on the block. But, if your engine doesn't have a head on it TDC should be VERY easy to find.

 

WTF is a degree wheel going to do for you? Actually you put a dial indicator on the deck of the motor with the rod touching the piston and find TDC. Then you set the degree wheel to TDC based on that to time the cams properly when the head is on.

http://www.wttool.com/product-exec/p...m_source=froog

 

I think he's right. There was a spot on my block that marked it. That should be fine if you don't want to spend $25 on a dial indicator.

 

+1 if you don't want to spend money.. use this method..

 

You can use a degree wheel and a dial indicator like said above. Indicators can get expensive though. You can get a degree wheel and a piston stop from summit for what a decent dial indicator would cost. I say buy all 3! There are piston stops that bolt to the deck of the block and there are the kind that bolt into the spark plug location. Stock timing marks are close enough for a stock engine. Especially if you have had any head or deck surface work done degree the cams.

 

I was playing with it today, and it seems pretty obvious, but I want to be 100% sure because I spend biiig money on this bottom end. Does anyone have a picture?

If I rotate the assembly until pistons 1 & 4 are at their absolute peak, is that good enough?

 

Yeah thats TDC. Like I said, a $25 dial indicator will be money well spent. Even buy one and return it if you're really worried about the money, lol. If you're block or head have been surfaced the timing marks are no longer perfectly accurate. Will not using the right tool cost you a motor? Not likely at all, but I wouldn't risk it on my motor.

 

Eyeballing when the pistons are at peak is probably a lot closer than eyeballing against the timing belt cover.

 

use the marks on the oil pump and trigger plate that is a safe way with out any problems good luck.

 

I went to 4 different auto parts stores today. None of them had a dial indicator . They all had the "magnetic base" but not the real tool.

So I took a straight ende ruler and layed it across the deck. I cranked the assembly until piston 1 & 4 where flat against the bottom of the ruler. I know this is kinda ghetto, but do you think its safe?

 

Yes that should work fine. Like said earlier, this is more accurate than using the marks.