Rb20Det Timing

[Ljrb20det]

Hey everyone,

I'm after some help. Im trying to check the timing on my rb20det. Am I right in saying that number 1 cylinder is the first cylinder after the inlet and exhaust cams.

I hooked my timing light up to the black loop wire at the back of the motor and my harmonic balancer degree was about 35 degree.

I want to hook it up to number one plu to check that the other reading could have been possibly doubled.

Also I have a autronic Eccu and a auto trans. What should the timing be set up to?

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks in advance

[mad082]

number 1 cylinder is the front cyclinder.

the wire loop sometimes gives false readings. the most reliable way to test the timing is to get an old fashioned ignition lead and remove the coil pack from number 1 and put the ignition lead between the coil and the spark plug and hook the timing light up to that.

timing wise, i think the auto is supposed to be slightly different to the manual by a degree or 2 (it's been a long time since i looked it up). the manual is supposed to be about 15 degrees BTDC. if you are getting 35 degrees then i'm guessing that it's obviously no where near the timing marks on the crank pulley?

[Ljrb20det]

No it's not. Just past the last mark which is 30 deg. That's what made me think the wire loop isn't reading correctly.

Can you explain in a bit more detail what you do with introducing a plug lead?

Thanks for your help so far

[mad082]

Ok, didn't realise the timing marks went to 30 degrees on those.

As for introducing the lead, you just pull the coil pack out (leaving it plugged into the wiring harness), get an old ignition lead and plug it into the part of the coil that goes over the top of the spark plug, and the other end onto the spark plug. Then clip the timing light onto the lead and test the timing as normal.

Also search to find out the correct procedure for putting the car into timing mode. for example, with a r33 you warm the car up, turn it off, unplug the tps and then start the car again. This is supposed to lock the timing at 15 degrees (it will normally fluctuate a small amount). Also make sure the car is warm when checking the timing, even if not locking into timing mode.

[Ljrb20det]

Cheers for the advice.

Tps I assume is throttle positioning sensor on your throttle body?

[Ljrb20det]

Also forgot to mention not that I think it will make much difference but I think this was a red top motor because it had a top mount intercooler and it has a nics inlet manifold