81 mustang

[gtmarko]

hello have a 1981 mustang with a 2.3 carburated runs rough any ideas what to look for as to the trouble with it running bad. new plugs installed

[SkylineUSA]

Checked the timing?

[gtmarko]

timing was checked and new timing belt also was installed, but couldn`t get the marks to line up on the sprockets. the crankshaft and auxiliary sprockets line up ok, but it`s always off one tooth on the camshaft sprocket, either ahead or back one .i`m lost on why this happens any ideas?

[mastermech]

the timing is off, the marks need to line up and if you have plastic timing cover the pointer is most likely plastic look for a broken pointer for the camshaft mark. if I remember right there were three pointers where the mark on the camshaft could point to you want the one in the middle, the one to the left advances the timing the one on the right retards it. hope this helps. done this job a lot!

[gtmarko]

Originally Posted by mastermech

the timing is off, the marks need to line up and if you have plastic timing cover the pointer is most likely plastic look for a broken pointer for the camshaft mark. if I remember right there were three pointers where the mark on the camshaft could point to you want the one in the middle, the one to the left advances the timing the one on the right retards it. hope this helps. done this job a lot!

the sprockets : cam, crank, and the aux. all have a triangle mark on them. the pointer is made of metal . there`s no plastic pointer on it. also the motor runs but could i have the distibutor in 180 degrees off?

[gtmarko]

need help with the timing marks on the cam to line up with the crank

[mastermech]

i read your message. here's what you do. turn the engine to the 0 degree mark on the crankshaft and look where the rotor is pointing on the dist. if you look from the driver side fender it should be pointing about the 7:00 position, and look at the timing mark on the camshaft, pull the little cap on the timing cover. all marks need to be dead on, if the pointer you mentioned for the camshaft is off. just one or two teeth off and the engine will run but badly. also make sure your spark plug wires are correct the order is 1-3-4-2 clockwise rotor turn. do you have a haynes for chilton book? Lastly, when you changed the belt did you make sure you were on the compression stroke of the #1 cylinder, if you were on the exhaust stroke you will be 180 out. and make the camshaft mark as close to perfect as possible (sometimes the mark is casted a bit off)

[SkylineUSA]

Greg,

What mech wrote up, would be exactly what I would do. I think its your timing as well, but it could be something else, but I doubt it.

[gtmarko]

Originally Posted by SkylineUSA

Greg,

What mech wrote up, would be exactly what I would do. I think its your timing as well, but it could be something else, but I doubt it.

the mark on the cam is on the tooth , but when the pointer lines up the notch is always lining up with pointer could there be something wrong with pointer or cam, if so how do i fix it thanks greg