Help identifying engine timing mark please.

[SimonGTV]

Hi,

In the manual the timing mark on the engine is shown as definate arrow but on mine it's an inch long brass strip which you can hopefully see in the middle of the pic.

I thought there'd be a point at one end but i can't feel one. I set it using the bottom end but it was too rich, its better using the top end but i'm still not sure.

thanks

[VeloceMitch]

Looks like you might have lost a bit of it Simon. The timing mark is a little metal pressing fixed over the screws which hold the end of the tacho drive as it leaves the water pump. I'm not sure what the brass strip is, it's hard to see. But it might be the remains of the pressed metal thing, but without the pointy bit. Mine isn't brass though.

[SimonGTV]

thanks Mitch, oh well back to good old trial and error guess work. if i have time i'll take the fan off to have a better look but i'm guessing my brass wotsit must be attached using the same screws as you desribe as there can't be many fixing points on there so it must be close?

ta

[spiderserie4]

this is a good photo of the timing pointer (borrowed from an excellent photo from papajam on Alfabb) - it looks as though perhaps your "pointer" is broken off? or it is still there covered by grease and other nasties! If you still have the bolt there, then the pointer looks to be exactly in the centre of this bolt.
Maybe blast the area with some brake cleaner.

[VeloceMitch]

Something is different about the last photo, I suspect it's taken of a car with an electronic tacho (S4???) as the pointer on my 72 2000 engine is attached to the top of the mechanical tacho drive, there isn't a bolt like you are seeing in this photo.

I suspect the 76 spider will be more like mine, but with a broken pointer.

[papajam]

The above engine is (was) a USA 2l Spica engine converted to Euro spec (timing cover, oilpan, etc). The support portion of the 2 piece pointer is indeed bolted to the mech tach drive. The pointer part is adjustable, hence the bolt.

[Erik Loye]

Did a little front end engine cleaning to day, even after cleaning it's har to say, but to me it look very much like the pointer sits right on top of the belt pulley. Even with a light it difficult to see.
Anyway, with the distributor clamp just loose ajust idle as slowly as possible without engine stalling and turn it a little forwards or backwards until the engine speed is highest. If the engine then pings retard timing a lilltel (or use 98 octane RON).
If it still pings your advance mecanism is faulty and need fixing (cleaning, oiling or new springs).
Erik