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1.3 8 valve Engine timing

9K views 15 replies 3 participants last post by  Billy Bob 
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#1 ·
I have a 1993 Suzuki Samurai. A previous owner has marked the distributer cap number 1 position (as shown in the repair manual) as number 4 and the spark plugs are wired accordingly. Is it possible to put the distributer in 180 deg. out and than put the timing belt on and so it will work that way? When I turn the engine to the time for the number one plug to fire the distributer points to the normal number 4 contact position.
Also the distributer does not have an alignment notch like other engines I have worked on and and you can rotate it 180 and it will go on just fine.
 
#2 · (Edited)
I have a 1993 Suzuki Samurai. A previous owner has marked the distributer cap number 1 position (as shown in the repair manual) as number 4 and the spark plugs are wired accordingly. Is it possible to put the distributer in 180 deg. out and than put the timing belt on and so it will work that way?

yes, you just rewire the distributor so the right plug hole in the cap is now firing #1 plug (on a side note, it WILL run if it is timed 180d out of proper position. just not well)

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When I turn the engine to the time for the number one plug to fire the distributer points to the normal number 4 contact position.
Also the distributer does not have an alignment notch like other engines I have worked on and and you can rotate it 180 and it will go on just fine.

im a little confused as to what you want to know here. yes can rotate 360 degrees in the mount if it doesn't hit the firewall. if the timing belt (cam to crank) are timed right, you can use any spark hole on the top of the cap for #1, and have it run.
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i assume your having running issues to post here. is that so? if so please elaborate a little more so someone can help ya.

BiLLy bOb
 
G
#5 ·
BB
Than the distributer must be direct gear drive and I can poisition so it will be back to factory settings. The previous owner must have installed the timing belt incorrectly and changed the distributer to keep from taking it apart to correct his mistake. So all I have left to do is rotate the distributer shaft 180 and it will be back to normal. I like normal! Thanks WW
 
#6 ·
yes, the disty is gear drive directly onto the cam where it slips down into the housing on the back of the head. just pull it out, turn the disty gear 180 and slip it back in.

without looking at it in person its hard to see what the previous owner did. its quite possible he timed the belt (crank to cam timing) 180 out, then wired the disty cap 180 out to accomodate the timing belt being wrong. if he used a aftermarket repair manual (dont remember which one right off), one of them by following their instructions, a person is timing the truck 180 out at the belt. in doing this, a person will either have to install the disty 180 out if they want to keep the plug wires in the original holes, OR, leave the disty alone and change the plug wires 180 to accomodate the belt wrong.
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this is just my thought from what i have gathered so far.

going back to your original post, it sounds like the previous owner timed it 180 out on the belt and repositioned the plug wires in the cap to make up for the belt being wrong so in the end it would be timed correctly even though the wires do not match up with what is marked as number 1 on the cap.
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does the truck currently run fine and dandy, or not? trying to figure out what the exact problem is so i might help get it all right.

BiLLy bOb
 
G
#7 ·
BB
The truck ran fine but had a very bad oil leak at the front seal. The seal fell out of the oil pump when I removed the pump. I had a new timing belt and idler on hand and replaced them while I had it apart. I have worked on engines of various types since childhood (I will be 63 in a month). This is the first overhead cam engine other than some motorcycles that I have worked on. The Suzuki factory manual is not all that detailed and I do not like to jump in with out knowing a little about where I am going and If the books do not tell me than I ask! I was hoping some one in SW Ohio might have answered (I find it is more fun to work together than alone as I tire of talking to my self very quickly) But Tennessee is fine and I appreciate your help. The garage is now warm so I best get to work.
Have a great day
WWW
 
#8 ·
hey man, did some searching, heres a quicky for timing it. it sounds like its pretty much on from what memory i do have. havent wrenched on mine in a long time. if this dont getcha, let me know whats up and ill see what i can do for ya. too bad somebody up your way didnt reply. i know theres several folks in your area. i agree, its always funner to work with company.
BiLLy bOb
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whazoo whazoo is offline
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 518
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Default Re: timing problems again
If you align the crank and the cam marks to the 12 o'clock positions as in the FSM, you'll be at TDC for cylinder #4.

Next, rotate the crank a full 360 clockwise all the way back to the alignment mark. The cam mark should now be at 6 o'clock. Now it is at cylinder #1 TDC.

2 crankshaft revolutions = 1 camshaft revolution

At this point you should align the distributor to the first cylinder (rotor contact should be pointing to the distributor hold down bolt).

You should now be in the ball park, needing only the fine tuning with a timing light.


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G
#12 ·
Thanks BB
Distributor was 180 out. All is back to normal now. I will fine tune with a timing light when I get it all back togeather. Adding power steering while I have it all apart along with replacing wrong and abused bolts, screws and such. also installing after market steering damper. What I really was missing is that when it is in time, the Cam timing mark is at 12:00 Oclock for #4 and 6:00 Oclock for #1.
Now for the valves. The factory manual does have a good description for setting them.
Thanks again
WWW
 
#13 · (Edited)
I have a 1993 Suzuki Samurai. A previous owner has marked the distributer cap number 1 position (as shown in the repair manual) as number 4 and the spark plugs are wired accordingly. Is it possible to put the distributer in 180 deg. out and than put the timing belt on and so it will work that way? When I turn the engine to the time for the number one plug to fire the distributer points to the normal number 4 contact position.
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This is a common problem when dealing with timing belt replacement on a Samurai. Some blame it on the Haynes Manual, other blame the Factory Service Manual and some blame the current phase of the Moon.

The SURE-FIRE way to set up the cam and crank to get ignition on Cylinder #1 is to do the following:

1. Set the arrow on the crank - turning clockwise - so it points UP.

2. With the valve cover off, rotate the camshaft CLOCKWISE until the rocker arms on Cylinder #1 indicate that all the valves are shut - the springs are under least amount of compression and the valve end of the rocker arm is high. At this point the camshaft pulley mark will be up - or possibly down - depending on the phase of the Moon. Nonetheless, at this point Cylinder #1 is set up so that it should be on the ignition downstroke (spark in #1).

3. Slap the distributor on so that the rotor points to #1 sparkplug wire AND is in the center of adjustment range for the adjuster bolt. This may take a few tries as the meshing of the distributor gears causes the rotor to rotate as the distributor is installed.

Install the timing belt per whatever manual that you are using. They all pretty much say the same on that task.

Install the timing belt cover, the valve cover and then double-check the sparkplug wires to make sure that they are connected in the proper order.

The truck should be close enough in time to start. If not, you can get it closer by loosening the adjuster bolt on the Distributor and turning it slightly.

Also the distributer does not have an alignment notch like other engines I have worked on and and you can rotate it 180 and it will go on just fine.
Curious - I have never worked on a TBI truck but I would assume that it has an adjuster bolt on the distributor like the carbed version. You can rotate the distributor 180 degrees, but that usually causes the grounding wire to not fit and the slots for the adjuster bolt to not line up.

take a look at this web page for the engine wiring diagram for the '93 Samurai:
Ack's FAQ: Your 4X4 Portal To All Things Suzuki/Geo

I hope that this helps!

BTW, THIS IS MY 2000TH POST!
 
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#15 ·
Originally Posted by wwworth View Post
Also the distributer does not have an alignment notch like other engines I have worked on and and you can rotate it 180 and it will go on just fine.

I was refering to the distributer cap not having a tab or notch. The distributer caps on engines I have worked on in the past would only install one way this cap can beinstalled correctly or 180 deg,s out.

By the way slapping the distributer may get you arrested for distributer abuse!!!

Thanks for the Info and have a great day.
WWW
 
#16 ·
By the way slapping the distributer may get you arrested for distributer abuse!!!
WWW
thats why we do it inside our closed garages, sometimes these ol broads need a good slappin. mine even likes getting her dash rubbed and a little dirty talk sometimes. ""come ol girl, the mud is only a foot deep, you can handle 6K, we did it last time"!!....:grin: :grin: hahaha
BiLLy bOb
 
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