Hey guys,

Im timing my car currently. I have All timing marks lined up and everything. I manually spin the crank so the cam gears cycle 3 times, and all marks still line up. BUT....
I dropped in a length of straightened wire coat hanger to check where my piston is at its highest point. But when the piston is at its highest point, the TDC marks dont line up. The piston drops a 1/4 inch (estimated) before all the marks line up. Again, ALL timing marks line up, but the piston isnt at its highest point at the "TDC" marks.

Anyone have an idea of what to do? Or does anyone have any hints and tips about how to make sure the timing is PERFECT? Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

 

did you put the crank at TDC before you started lining up the oil gears for the balance belt and timing belt?

 

the crank TIMING MARK is at TDC. But when lined up, the piston is not at its highest point.

 

Basically my main question, is when timing the crank gear... Do i time the engine to the TDC timing mark, or where the gear is when the piston is at its highest point?

 

You time to the TDC mark, which also should be VERY close to where piston #1 is at the top. Correct way to find TDC is to make a piston stop via the spark plug hole and use a degree wheel at the crank and turn crank in both directions and mark where it stops. Between these two marks, is true TDC.
I have tested both my Evo 2 and an Evo 6 and the stock TDC mark was dead on. But the degree wheel procedure is the correct way to set TDC.
I believe there is something wrong with your engine. Maybe your harmonic balancer is starting to seperate?

 

The #1 piston should be at TDC when the timing marks line up. If this isn't the case then you might be looking at something incorrectly. Maybe it would help if you posted a picture.

 

Show us a pic of the TDC timing marks you are looking at. If it's of the crank serpentine belt pulley notch aligned to the TDC reference mark on the cam belt cover- you're good. If it's of the crank cam belt pulley and CAS trigger plate notch aligned with the reference mark on the end of the block - you're also good. Anything else is not good and won't give you TDC on cylinder #1.

 

Don't pay attention to the marks on the plastic cover.

Just line all the marks up with the arrows and marks on the valve cover. Turn it over by hand one full cycle. If all the marks still line up, fire it up.