help? 87 2.3L Timing?

[letstry]

lima

hey guys hows it going looking for some help here bit of a noob? lol... timing went sorta seems like im close to fixing it or doing ok at least ill take some pics you tell me what you think if anyone is willing to help ? uncle gonna be around by next week hopefully but im just messing around i got the book.

getting motor at tdc .. says distrib is spose to move around when i turn motor over i didnt see it move? anyways i thought it was piston closest to front end of motor(where im standing) , not what this lil picture states in manual maybe im wrong tho..(i took the number 1 sparkplug out and i think i could see piston up close when lined up with timing cover TDC mark..?????????

and next is this crankshaft pulley seems i need a impact gun or wedge the breaker bar i got? some how any ideas i tried looking on youtube but no pulleys there that i can use to wedge it..

after that it wants me to loosen the belt tensioner adjustment bolt(says i need tool but could use a prybar wedged between the roll pin and tensioner may work?

anyone done this stuff is it hard

 

[letstry]

ill take pics some time if i get some replys or progress i guess haha

 

[Insanejughead]

I can help you with this, but I'll need you to answer me a question or two before I can give you the information that you need. It's just my way of checking things that you may not know are wrong or not.


You have the distributor cap off, yet turning the motor does not move the rotor and vane inside the distributor?

 

[letstry]

I can help you with this, but I'll need you to answer me a question or two before I can give you the information that you need. It's just my way of checking things that you may not know are wrong or not.


You have the distributor cap off, yet turning the motor does not move the rotor and vane inside the distributor?

correct.

 

[Insanejughead]

You have a problem that's worse than JUST timing, then.


I've had this happen THREE times to me in a span of two years.

Your distributor drive gear is most likely sheared off.



The only way to check and replace it is to first take the distributor out. There's a hold down bolt in between the distributor shank and the engine block that you have to take out before you can get the distributor to slide out.

If it's chewed up, you'll have to get a new gear, then press fit it back on the shaft. It's easier than it sounds, but aggravating if you break teeth off of the new gear.


Also, it would be ultra wise to flush the oil pan out for all of the pieces of gear that have collected at the bottom. I have started using magnetic drain plugs, too.

 

[letstry]

could i get it at junkyard...

ya im pretty sure it wasnt moving at all so that sucks

 

[Insanejughead]

Try turning the vane and rotor by hand. If you can move it (or even wiggle it more than 1/16" or so) then it's bad.


If you get one out of a junkyard, GRAB THE AUXILIARY SHAFT TOO.

(It isn't too much more work to get it out, but you'll need a 10mm socket and wrench, and an impact screwdriver. Definitely don't forget the impact screwdriver)


Most likely, if the gear has stripped off, a few teeth on the aux shaft have taken a hit and become chipped. Any chips on the aux shaft will cause the next gear to strip even quicker.



Btw, be sure to make sure your oil level ALWAYS stays up. I've noticed that my gears were stripped after I went a month without driving (parked at college), but then driving several hours on end without first checking oil.

So, be adamant about being on top of all that.

 

[letstry]

alright so i cant really keep going then i guess huh

i wanted to get that crank pulley thing off

 

[Insanejughead]

Get a tight fitting socket (at least 1/2" drive) and a breaker bar.


Put the socket and breaker bar on the crankshaft bolt, then brace it against the underside of the passenger frame rail or the upside of the driver side frame rail (whichever is clear of stuff that can be broke or bent.


Then jolt the starter a few times. That will turn the engine clockwise (as facing the engine) and cause the breaker bar to turn the bolt the other direction (loosening it).