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about to put my heads back on my ea82 engine out of my 88 subaru wagon...the engine is out the vehicle on a engine stand...i know the flywheel has the 3 marks but i do not see an arrow to line them up with...and here is my other wonder...i've pulled the flywheel (automatic flexplate) off the engine before and i am not positive that it only went on one way...i think it could go on anyway so how will i be for sure it's on there right? and when the 3 lines are in sight...none of the pistons are anywhere near TDC...i know how to time the cams once i figure out how to get the engine at TDC...then the right banks gets lines up first...then rotate engine one full turn when right bank is 180 degrees out you do the left bank when it lines up... i just need more help on making the crank TDC so i can be for sure and only have to do it once...if anyone knows better than me, let me know, pictures will be great! thanks!

L series service manual

http://rapidshare.com/files/443338198/S ... l_1989.pdf

enjoy

TOONGA

The 3 lines are for setting the camshaft timing and line up to the same pointer as used to set the ignition timing

The ignition timing marks look like this


As you can see, there are timing marks from 0 to 20deg and the edge of that nib of aluminium is the timing arrow. As you can see this is showing 0deg. But for aligning the camshafts, you want to align the above pointer to the middle of the 3 lines you mentioned.

The flex plate should only go on one way, the holes are not evenly spaced

ok, i will go by that when i set my timing then, i just figured when the middle line of the 3 marks was at the arrow, one of the pistons would be top dead center of the cylinder wall. but all 4 pistons when it is lined up seem evenly adjusted mid way down the cylinder walls. i'm new to subarus so it's a little different than some vehicles.

so if it's timed 100% correct...with a timing light on it, it should blink at 0 degrees everytime correct?

and one more thing on timing...when the engine is in full time and the belts are on...then comes putting the distributor on in time, is there a specific way to put the distributor back in time? marks? or does it just go in there anyway...i'm used to distributors that only go in one way...this one is a gear and can go in anyway. the bad part is, i work at subaru and have the original subaru dealer service manual for 88...and it's not very helpful at all.

WaYtOoLoW wrote:ok, i will go by that when i set my timing then, i just figured when the middle line of the 3 marks was at the arrow, one of the pistons would be top dead center of the cylinder wall. but all 4 pistons when it is lined up seem evenly adjusted mid way down the cylinder walls.

Thats right, the 0 mark on the ignition timing marks is TDC for cylinder number 1. The cam timing marks are put at mid piston so the belts can be put on while there is no pressure on the camshafts from the valve springs.

WaYtOoLoW wrote:so if it's timed 100% correct...with a timing light on it, it should blink at 0 degrees everytime correct?

No, with the green test plugs (test mode) under the dash connected, it should read 20deg

WaYtOoLoW wrote:and one more thing on timing...when the engine is in full time and the belts are on...then comes putting the distributor on in time, is there a specific way to put the distributor back in time? marks? or does it just go in there anyway...i'm used to distributors that only go in one way...this one is a gear and can go in anyway. the bad part is, i work at subaru and have the original subaru dealer service manual for 88...and it's not very helpful at all.

There is usually a mark of some sort on the distributor housing where you point the rotor, which lines up to the cyl no. 1 output post. Then insert the distributor so it is in the middle of the adjustment slot on the outside and fine tune with the timing light

3 plug or 4 plug ECU?
the reason for the three align marks position where it is is there is no tension on valve springs against cam (my theory anyway) trying to rotate engine on you.

Search and you will find pics of 3 plug dizzy

search did not help me ??
So made this up

showthread.php?p=171214&posted=1#post171214

steptoe wrote:3 plug or 4 plug ECU?

WaYtOoLoW wrote:about to put my heads back on my ea82 engine out of my 88 subaru wagon

88 model so i'd say 4 plug

...or carby

in that case, no test connectors and not 20'BDTC

oops, yeah, carby most common and I forget

i beleive i have it all down now....i think timing the motor will go pretty smooth...thanks for all the help!