I own a 1991 RS 305/TBI. I just recently replaced the timing chain (old one had a loose chain that was tapping the inside of the cover, car was still running great didn't strip or break). I went by the book on the change, got both the old chain in line (dot to dot) before I removed it, and put the new one on the same way. According to a friend of mine I have to reset the ignition timing once I have done this. I checked the rotor under the distributor cap and it is setting 180 degrees from TDC (number one cylinder). How do I correct this. Heard I may have to move the distributor to a point closes to the number one cylinder. This seem like a real task. What can you tell me.

 

If you are indeed 180 degrees off, just loosen the distributor hold down clamp and rotate the distributor 180 degrees. After that, use a timing light to fine tune your timing. Then make sure to retighten the hold down clamp. Your book should explain how to use a timing light.

 

hold the phone..

If you didn't move anything while the timing chain was off, you're good.. just re-start the engine.

If you DID move the distributor or crank or cam while the chain was off, you've got to re-stab the dist.

Let us know if you moved anything.

 

One rotation of the crank, gets 1/2 rotation of the dist.
Firing order is 1843 6572. Your 180* out because your pointed at the #6 cyclinder. Rotate the crank one revolution and you will be back at #1.
However if you have not rotated the engine during the chain install, you may have installed it with the wrong cyclinder up(on the compression stroke).

At this point I would recheck everything. Remove the #1 spark plug, and using your finger(carefully) or a compression gage make sure your on the compression stroke for the #1 cyclinder. Make sure the timing mark is at zero and then pull the dist. cap and make sure the rotor is pointed to #1.

 

----got both the old chain in line (dot to dot) before I removed it, and put the new one on the same way.----


if he did this and didn't move anything, he's fine.. Stop reading more into this and making more work for him :P

 

That's a big IF. If he did everything right then why is the dist. 180* off???
----I checked the rotor under the distributor cap and it is setting 180 degrees from TDC (number one cylinder).----
I never said he should disassemble the motor. Just spend some time checking.

 

Ok guys for clarification, when I first started I didn't do anything to assure the engine was at T.D.C. I removed the timing chain cover and found that the dots on both sparkets were not lined up, so I rotated the engine about two revolutions until they were dot to dot. After I removed the old chain and put on the new one, I rotated the engine two rev. until both dots re-aligned again (dot to dot), this was what the instruction manual said to do. I didn't check the ignition timing (TDC) before I started.

 

but between the time you took the chain off and put the new chain on, you didn't turn the engine, correct?

If so, you're fine.

she should start right up..

 

dot to dot is TDC for #6, which is 180 off from TDC #1(both dots at 12 oclock), you should be fine, go ahead and fire it up!

once it is running, use a timing light to check your timing, if it was ever adjusted with the loose chain, it might be off a few degrees

 

One other thing for you guys, I purchased a new timing chain cover (chrome) in the instructions on how to install it, it mentions that I should use a screwdriver and pry out the old main seal (the one on the bottom) and use the screwdriver to pry the new one into place. The oil was not removed during this process. I have heard the if the old seal is in good condition you don't have to do this. I kinda like using a new seal, what do you guys think.

 

Well the new cover should come with a new seal, so just use the new seal with the new cover.

 

Did you get it fixed???

 

Still working on it, will let you guys know when I get her cranked up and running. I'm going to attempt to change out the cap, rotor, plugs and wires. Should be ok, except for the driver side plugs, thats gonna be kinda difficult.