I've been having hell trying to set the mechanical timing on my 97 d16y8. I replaced the head gasket and I've set the cam pulley to 12 o clock at TDC. When I line up the marks on the timing belt cover it puts the pulley way off 12 o clock. Can anybody give me some info about what valves should be open/closed when setting the mechanical timing so I can get it right? I did search around but I haven't been able to find JACK.

 

 

It has the newer style cam pulley. Thanks though.

 

If you have a cast pulley there are still two little slash marks on the edge that will line up with the 9 and 3. Note that these are relative to the head casting, not really horizontal with respect to the ground because the whole engine is tilted forward when installed in the car.

The slot in the other end of the cam which engages the distributor should end up vertical with respect to the engine, and the groove on the front side.

All the valves on cylinder #1 should be closed, and the intakes on #4 starting to open.

On the crank you will be lining up the dot on one of the crank pulley teeth with the arrow. The key slot in the crankshaft is NOT the mark.

 

 

Thanks guys! Which directions clockwise/counter makes the timing advanced/retarded? I got it to where it will almost start with the dizzy at max advance so it's probably a tooth off but idk which direction to turn the pulley.

 

Don't mess with timing. It is to be set at top dead center.

On my y7 the dizzy was pretty much as far forward towards the radiator as it would go, but your original spots should be easy to see from the stain on the head from residue

 

Don't guess. Set the mechanical timing exactly as shown in the diagram I posted.

 

I don't have both marks on my timing belt cover. One got ripped off somehow so I just have the 3 o clock mark.

 

Get a replacement at a junkyard, or buy a new one.

 

Do the job right, don't just guess. Another day down time isn't going to kill you, but it might kill the engine