timing slipped

[edsel]

ok,1988 1.9 escort, got the belt on, however everytime i adjust the tensioner i end up off a tooth or ttwo. checking with my timing light the mark on the crank is before tdc ok so now i am very close. can i make the adjustment at the distributor, or do i have to pull it apart again? i have adjusted the timing mark to be on time with the distributor is this good or not? thanks edsel...

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by edsel

ok,1988 1.9 escort, got the belt on, however everytime i adjust the tensioner i end up off a tooth or ttwo. checking with my timing light the mark on the crank is before tdc ok so now i am very close. can i make the adjustment at the distributor, or do i have to pull it apart again? i have adjusted the timing mark to be on time with the distributor is this good or not? thanks edsel...

You do not need to set the timing with a timing light....UNLESS the distributor has been moved. The timing advance is controlled by the EEC (onboard computer).
If you have moved the distributor to get the TDC mark on the crank and timing belt cover to align....you will have to reset the 'basic timing'. There is a placcard on you car (cross bar in front of the radiator) showing information on emissions etc. and will give the instructions on how to do it. (With a warm engine and the spout plug removed the basic timing should be 10 degrees before TDC)

[edsel]

que lastima!!! so once the crankpulley is set a tdc and the campulley is at 12oclock and the belt is put on and tensioner tightend the computer,if all is correct, sets the timing at 10degrees before tdc? ok...my problem: ignorance, was i assumed it would remain at tdc. when i fired the engine up i observed that the timing was about 10 degrees btdc and believed that the timing belt had slipped a tooth or two??!!! ok i will now adjust the timing as instructed and hopefully get going later today. if not i will be back. thanks again and back to reality. again it's the little things that drive you crazy....edsel...

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by edsel

que lastima!!! so once the crankpulley is set a tdc and the campulley is at 12oclock and the belt is put on and tensioner tightend the computer,if all is correct, sets the timing at 10degrees before tdc? ok...my problem: ignorance, was i assumed it would remain at tdc. when i fired the engine up i observed that the timing was about 10 degrees btdc and believed that the timing belt had slipped a tooth or two??!!! ok i will now adjust the timing as instructed and hopefully get going later today. if not i will be back. thanks again and back to reality. again it's the little things that drive you crazy....edsel...

Great news Edsel!!!!!
Yeah, thats the computer that advances the spark to 10 degrees BTDC. If you really want to see some spark advance put your timing light on and rev the engine......you will see better than 30 degrees BTDC.... or have you had enough fun for one day.....