Cam gear marks alignment

[Blownpiston]

Hello, to all! I have a 1997 1.3L 4-cylinder Geo Metro. i understand how to set my crankshaft, to get #1 cyl. on t.d.c. Please, can anyone tell me what mark on my camgear to align with the v-notch on metal cover backing plate at top of head? My cam gear has a small raised "dot" on one spoke of the gear, with a small etched line or groove near the teeth of the gear. 180 degrees from those marks, below, on another spoke is just a small etched line or groove near the teeth, and no "dot".Any assisstance greatly appreciated, BEFORE i go off and bend the valves! Thank you to everyone, i have been lurking this board a long time,great info, and finally joined up.

[geozukigti]

Use the dot! . The other "groove" is for the DOHC engine. The timing gears came off the same mill for the SOHC and DOHC, so it cut both notches for the intake and exhaust. The other mark will advance the timing about 8 degrees. It won't cause it to crash a valve, but you'll get a lot more power, but a BIG MPG decrease. It will also idle like sh@#.

[Blownpiston]

geozukigti, heartfelt thanks to you, i have seen you help many people on this board. You are a wealth of information. Great picture view of timing setup you posted. EXACTLY what i needed. Engine is fine and all is well. A quick funny, my wife drives a big kicking explorer, i dont like it, but LOVE my little GEO.Im not nuts, just appreciate mechanical simplicity. Bye, till next time.

[302Z28]

Originally Posted by geozukigti

Use the dot! . The other "groove" is for the DOHC engine. The timing gears came off the same mill for the SOHC and DOHC, so it cut both notches for the intake and exhaust. The other mark will advance the timing about 8 degrees. It won't cause it to crash a valve, but you'll get a lot more power, but a BIG MPG decrease. It will also idle like sh@#.

Hello,
Does this diagram also cover the '92 1.0L? I tried installing per the diagram, but the distributor was off by 180 degrees. The distributor is keyed for one position only. I rotated the cam to get the distributor correct. Compression values are now 191, 192, 195, which seems high. This would be indicative of advanced cam timing, as you stated. Any idea what I am doing wrong? I have not fired the motor yet. My Chiltons manual is vague, stating only to align the marks, but gives no indication of which marks.
Thanks,
Ray

[Crvett69]

the dowel pin on the cam should point straight down. with the dowel pin down there shoulf be a mark at the top that alignes with the upper notch. 175-199 is acceptible range for cranking compression as long as there is less than 10% difference between high and low number, closer is better

[302Z28]

With both timing marks aligned, one of the two dowels is pointed downward at approximately the 6 o'clock position. The second dowel is somewhere close to the 1:30 - 2:00 position.
Thanks for the help
Ray