Author Topic: Need timing alignment help after head replacement (mk1 rabbit)  (Read 2606 times)

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Offline Aristotlejones

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Hello,

I have a 1981 Rabbit pickup with an 82/38 rebuilt turbo engine. I just installed a new head, but am now having trouble sorting out timing marks. I kept the relatively unworn cam belt, and replaced the cam sprocket, so the latter is not bolted to the camshaft yet. When I started, I pinned the injection pump, but after replacing the head, I can’t get to TDC without removing the pin. (1-2 cm out)

I am no mechanic, just fix things when the fall off, or I break them. Since the belt is the same, and the timing was OK before the head swap, I’m wondering if my issue is that I don’t know whether #1 piston is up to correspond to the cam? I was told to set all pistons about midway while placing the new head & gasket, but now that everything’s bolted down, I’m not sure I’m at the correct TDC. (180 deg out?)

How can I tell which pistons are up when the head is on, but the cam sprocket is not connected yet? If I know how to get the #1 piston fully up, I can take off the belt and rotate the engine to that TDC.

When I was cleaning the head, I could see that the outer two pistons, then the inner two would move up and down.  If I have the middle two up at present, then I can rotate the engine around once (belt off), then put the belt back on and see if TDC matches the IP.

Can I assume that TDC means that at least two pistons are fully up?

thanks ahead,

<*>aj

Stephan Schmidt

Re: Need timing alignment help after head replacement (mk1 rabbit)
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2018, 07:17:57 AM »
Try the watercooled Vw site for this info...you may get some more help!

www.dubberz.com

Offline Aristotlejones

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Re: Need timing alignment help after head replacement (mk1 rabbit)
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2018, 08:36:32 AM »
I did. They wanted to know what gasket I had used...
Thanks for esplaining the difference.