Howto Set Cam/Crankshaft without a Timing Belt installed

[lugbutz]

Hi
So I have a 1980 Spider 2000 FI. Currently the camshafts and crankcase pulleys timing markers are not aligned properly. The intake and exhaust camshafts timing markers are roughly 180 degrees off when the crankcase timing marker for piston no 4 is at TDC.

In the Clymer manual it states "never rotate the camshafts without also rotating the the crankshaft" It says serious damage can result.

I've read a bit about this and it seems that inorder to set the timing properly with the timing belt removed I simply need to put the car into 1st. gear, set emergency brake, then manually set the timing for the intake/exhaust camshafts. Is it as simple as that? Or am I missing something?

Exhaust Cam
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1J_HFk ... xLbDmv8Kzm
Intake Cam
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qP9cE ... LzVIyjR9vt

Crankshaft
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vVbiw ... N0122NH1Q7

[kilrwail]

Why would you want to set the timing with the belt removed? It's called a timing belt because its installation is critical to achieve correct timing to allow the engine to run. You could damage a valve by turning the camshafts without a belt properly installed.

[redcars]

If your engine is the 2000 and stock, then you have a non interference value train. Put the crank shaft at top dead center on # 4. Take off the timing belt . Turn the camshafts till they line up and put the timing belt back on. Check the timing of your idler shaft and replace the timing belt and tensioner if needed.

[bobplyler]

Actually, the engine is at TDC when the camshaft is at 0 degrees AND when the camshaft is at 180 degrees. The camshafts rotate at half the speed of the crankshaft.

[Nut124]

If your engine is the 2000 and stock, then you have a non interference value train. Put the crank shaft at top dead center on # 4. Take off the timing belt . Turn the camshafts till they line up and put the timing belt back on. Check the timing of your idler shaft and replace the timing belt and tensioner if needed.

Even if the valves did not hit the piston, they can hit another valve.

I would remove cam box covers and watch the lobes when turning the cams. You do not want both the intake and ex valve on any cylinder down at the same time.

[aj81spider]

+1 on the valves. I know the 1980 is a non-interference engine, but just to be safe you might also want to move the crankshaft to pull piston 4 back from top dead center a little. Then adjust the cam shafts. That way you make sure you won't bang a valve on the piston that is at TDC. After the cams are aligned properly you can rotate the crankshaft back to TDC. You should also get a 38 mm socket so you can rotate the crankshaft without having to move the car back and forth. Amazon has short ones that (at least on my car) don't force me to remove the radiator.

[lugbutz]

That makes complete sense.... So without the timing belt
re: 38 mm... currently have one

1. Align cams properly with crankshaft just off TDC,
2. With cams aligned, align crankshaft
3. Install timing belt
4. Grab a beer!

Thank you all.... This was most helpful. I report back once Ive completed replacing the timing belt and tested

j

[Jon124]

In the pictures the timing belt is on. Just turn the crankshaft 1 rotation and the cams will line up because they rotate at 1/2 crankshaft speed.