I just put a used 13B ingine in my 85 RX7. The problem is that it came without a front pulley. It is not keyed so I don't know how to sync. the rotor position with the timing mark on the pulley and on the block. It just attaches with 4-bolts so there ate 4 possibilities. Does anyone know the answer to this one ?

 

A little tricky but no big deal as long as the distributor is still in and was never disturbed. Turn the engine so that the distributor rotor is pointed at the L1 terminal. (It'll be using the top set of contacts on the rotor) Now take the rotor off, and the cover plate below it, and line up the reluctor (4 pointed star) with the leading pickup coil - the leading's the one towards the front of the car. It should be very close.

The car should now be at TDC for #1 rotor. Put the pulley on so one notch lines up with the pointer on the front cover. It will only go on one of four ways so if timing is a little off it will still be obvious.

 

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the distributor had also been removed.
Makes it a little more complicated doesn't it.

 

OK, there's a couple other ways. You need to get the engine within less than 45 degrees of TDC on the #1 rotor. There are several ways to do it.

Well, firstly, is the engine in or out of the car? If it's out of the car it makes life a lot easier. Look in the exhaust ports while turning the engine, and you'll be able to see the apex seals sliding past. When an apex seal for the #1 rotor is between the exhaust port and where the intake ports are, then #1 is fairly close to TDC. Likewise, if you look in the spark plug holes (can only really see in the leading hole though) and an apex seal is between the two plug holes at #2 rotor, then rotor #1 is at TDC. If you get it to where you can physically see a seal through the #2 leading plug hole that'll be close enough.

If the flywheel is off, the key slot at the flywheel end will be at 3:00 when #1 is at TDC. (That is, pointing at the intake/exhaust port side of the engine)

 

Well the engine is in the car so I would not be able to see anything.
I can't believe that the pulley is not keyed or that the shaft isn't marked.
I didn't realize that I had a problem till the engine was in.

 

Fortunately you should be able to see in the spark plug holes with an inspection mirror. (basically just a mirror on the end of a stick) That's how I was able to look in my FC's plug holes to see that an apex seal on the #2 rotor was pulled out and peeled back

You should be able to pick a mirror up for about $3-5 at any auto parts store. I recommend the round ones 'cos they're easier to maneuver around.

 

Ok, I will give it a try. I really appreciate your help !!

 

You a gambling person? You got a 1 outta 4 chance. Not bad odds in my opinion.

 

im with Pele on that one

 

Couple that with the two ways to put the dizzy in, and you ahve a 1 outta 8 chance.. still not bad odds...

...

Unless youre playing Russian roulette.

 

Someone once told me that no matter which way you put in the distributer it will run, but not good unless your right on tdc. Because its always firing a chamber at any given time. Is this true?. just curious!.

 

I found that when I get the timing pulley at TDC the distributor can be at the timing mark OR at 180 degrees off the timing mark. I think this is due to the gearing down of the eccentric shaft. Or maybe I am just insane

How ever if this is true you only have 2 ways to put the dizzy in. right and wrong.

I think, if I remember right and am not insane, if the front pulley keyway is pointed toward the exhaust ports the engine is about at TDC.

I can verify this if you need.

Good luck

 

I can verify for him, HE IS INSANE. and he whines like a bitch when i drive with my eyes closed.