RE: [alfa] Spider timing problems - won't start

["Jeff Greenfield" <alfaguy@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

There is a good possibility from what you describe that the timing is out
180 degrees.

Set the engine at #1 TDC (remove the #1 spark plug and look down the hole,
if you see an open valve go back around one more time). TDC is the 'P' mark
on the pulley.

With the engine at #1 TDC on the compression stroke, the ignition rotor
should be pointing to the #1 spark plug wire (the rotor should also be
pointing more or less forward if things are assembled correctly, but this is
not that important). Move the wires around in the cap so that the #1 wire is
in the proper place corresponding to the rotor, and then go 1-3-4-2 in a
clockwise direction.

See what that does. You may also have to diddle the position of the dist. to
get to run and then time it with a timing light.

Check this out and report back one way or the other ...

Remember, after major surgery or when in a bad neighborhood late at night,
always click your heels together three times while chanting (three times
corresponding to the clicking of heels) "Milan is the center of the
universe" ... almost always works for me

HTH,

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided] On Behalf Of
Shawn Mayer
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2004 3:13 PM
To: alfa-digest@domain.elided
Subject: [alfa] Spider timing problems - won't start

Hello all -
I've just finished putting my engine back together (79 spider w/ spica)
after a head gasket replacement and head rebuild. Of course, then I just
prayed that it would start when I finally turned the key today. but no
such luck. When I turn the key, the engine will turn for a few seconds
as though it is trying to start, and then after a short time there will
be a loud "bang" that sounds roughly like a loud backfire. I'm assuming
that this means I'm at least getting fuel and spark?

So I'm wondering about timing issues. When I was putting the chain back
on, the cams turned a hair as I was reassembling. I was going to retime
them, but I noticed that they were (by random chance) actually set with
slightly increased overlap (intake advanced, exhaust retarded - both
less than 1/8th inch off journal mark). I know that a lot of people do
just that for a few extra HP, so I went ahead and left it. First
question is - is that likely to be causing my problem? Does one need to
adjust disto timing with such a slight cam adjustment? And then - if
it's NOT the problem, I assume the next things to check are disto and
injection timing. Anyone else have any thoughts on what I need to look
for?

Thanks for your advice (again)..

Shawn Mayer
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