Stupid question, please don't laugh! Rover P6 V8 TDC

[pardonthewait]

Hello,

Just a quick and really simple question that I can't for the life of me find the answer to.

Got a new dizzy coming tomorrow after a bit of a saga and will need to set the timing. Question is:

Is the TDC marker on the crankshaft specifically No1 cylinder TDC? Or does it just mean one of the cylinders is at TDC, and I have to take the plug out of No1 Cylinder and find out if it's that one?

Thanks in advance!

[Dez]

no, it always means no 1 is at TDC, but not necessarily on the ignition cycle, as its a 4 stroke engine. you need to have the dizzy cap off when you position it to make sure the rotro arm is facing the right way- its possible for it to be 180 degress out.

[pardonthewait]

So if it's at that mark (which it is now) and I put my new distributor on, and start hooking them up from no1 cylinder, all will be well?

Thanks very much btw, embarassing question but couldn't find an answer. Had to bite the bullet and ask!

[mk2cossie]

Nov 11, 2015 20:23:39 GMT pardonthewait said:

So if it's at that mark (which it is now) and I put my new distributor on, and start hooking them up from no1 cylinder, all will be well?

Thanks very much btw, embarassing question but couldn't find an answer. Had to bite the bullet and ask!

In a nut shell, yes.
That should be pretty much there for basic settings and then just needs a timing light on it to make sure its bang on

[pardonthewait]

Good stuff. Been a bit of a nightmare so far but I think I should finally be there hopefully.

I have a timing light but my tacho doesn't work - and still won't work with the new ignition, so hopefully will be ok. Must look into converting the tacho to work.

Thanks

[ChasR]

Nov 11, 2015 20:08:19 GMT Dez said:

no, it always means no 1 is at TDC, but not necessarily on the ignition cycle, as its a 4 stroke engine. you need to have the dizzy cap off when you position it to make sure the rotro arm is facing the right way- its possible for it to be 180 degress out.

Not always .

On the Triumph Stag TDC on the crank pulley is worked off No.2 . It is one reason why a number of them used to run terribly . I do not know about the RV8 however .

I shall about that the Stag is about the only exception to the rule I have come across but there are bound to be others.

[Dez]

really? how very, er, british!

i don't know of any exceptions, and i encounter a fair old range of motors.
what was their reasoning for doing that? its possibly one of the stupidest things ive heard!

[ChasR]

If I were a betting man I would say it is down to the Slant 4s and V8s sharing some parts between them. No.2 on a Stag engine is up front and nearside. No.1 of course is on the offside.

Then again, the French use No.1 as being the piston nearest the gearbox, with Ford and the rest using the crankshaft end as no.1 just to confuse matters more.