Timing question

[myvolkswagen]

So I'd like to get the head bolted on my block but since I used a 210mm clutch disc and pp kit I have to use the 210mm gasser flywheel I believe which has different timing marks. Anyway is there a way to time the engine without the tdc marks? I'm kind of a rookie to timing but I can do it with the diesel flywheel. I know I have seen it done I'm just not sure how

[jabcok20]

you can to mve out camshaft and clamp spring from valve on first piston ( don't move out the spring because valve can fall into cylinder , then move crankshaft and put a finger on that first valve and when he will be at igher position the you have ignition.
Move cranjshaft with stiff key and move crankshaft from left and right to feel that position 0 of piston.

[ORCoaster]

You now have to determine TDC and mark it on the Flywheel by determining it from the #1 cylinder. If you have timed the diesel before you know to lock the back of the cam with the tips of the #1 cylinder lobes pointing up.  Follow that process and you should be able to mark the FW at that point with something.  A double check would be to pull the injector and feel for the piston coming up to TDC in the #1 cyl.  

Not hard just different.  Score a line and paint it with a high visibility color like yellow or white so you can see it in the dark under the hood the next time you need it.

[burn_your_money]

Since it sounds like you don't have the head on yet this will be a little easier. Use a dial indicator to determine TDC of the #1 or #3 piston. Mark on the flywheel where the piston stops moving and then right when it starts moving again. Right in the middle of those two marks is the TDC that you time to.

[myvolkswagen]

I'm just gonna temporarily bolts on the old clutch and flywheel then bolt on the tranny and time it then remove it all. It's definately the long way of doing it but I don't want to screw up my engine at this point. It's out of the car too so it's not a big deal

[theman53]

Burn your money just gave you a perfect way to do it. As touchy as the TDC is there is no way to unbolt your flywheel and bolt the new one on in the correct spot.

[myvolkswagen]

If I time it with the old flywheel and take it off I'll never have to use the tdc mark anyway cuz I'll just mark the timing belt when I remove the timing belt or head or pump. It's easier to mark the belt anyway so I just have to do the initial timing

[burn_your_money]

Marking the belt will not allow you to set the cam properly though.

Do what you are planning with the old FW but once you have the new FW installed, use the exact plunger lift on the pump to set the engine back at TDC and use that to mark TDC on the new FW.

You will have to take the belt off at some time and you will want to kick your past self in the nuts if you cut corners now.

[8v-of-fury]

if you still have both FW's off.. why not take the two and line up the bolt holes that mount it to the PP and then scribe a mark in the 210 fw from the 200 fw? That also seems a pretty easy way to do it if you dont have a dial indicator and a way to mount it to the block for Burn's suggestion.

Also the "mark-and-pray" method of trying to get the belt back on in the exact location is not a good path to even think about. I have done probably a dozen or two timing belts or the removing of pumps and having to time the engine. and it never goes back on exactly how you had it, ever. You'll seriously want to kick yourself later.

[theman53]

It usually moves a couple degrees for me each time I do a timing belt when I am tensioning, even with the cam sprocket loose.
You don't really even need a dial indicator if the block and trans are out of the car. You could bolt a block of wood sticking into #1 hole tight to the head surface and use burn your money's method of turning it back till it hits again. In the middle will find TDC.
As expensive as fuel and engine pieces are  I would spend the 20.00 for a cheap dial indicator, or see if one of the auto stores will loan you one for 5 minutes.

[rabbitman]

If the crank is moving when you tension the timing belt, you dont have the slack positioned in the belt properly, as the Ip should be locked, therefore blocking movement of the crank on the "tight" side of the belt. You are allowing to much slack between the Ip/crank..

I think you guys are making it too complicated with the wood ect. Get the engine relatively close to tdc, and re-orient the pulley so the "v" is where is should be, and you will find your tdc.

Coming from someone who as tensioned more than a hundred timing belts and never caused a problem.

Try reading the whole thread.............and I had to laugh at the absurdity of that last comment.

[myvolkswagen]

I would use burns method but I have no idea how to mark it on the flywheel. I have a dial indicator so I can get tdc but like I said I dont know how to transfer it to the flywheel so it's actually reading tdc

[theman53]

Put the trans on and use a punch, chisel, or anything harder than a wood peckers lips to make a good grove where it is needed. A mark that is then filed in that would work as well.

[ORCoaster]

wood peckers lips?   Wood Peckers don't got no lips, they's got beaks. 

Just the same a light mark to know where to score it deeper with a file or hacksaw blade or moar chisel work.  Don't forget the paint.

[myvolkswagen]

Ya that makes complete sense. I don't know what I was thinking.
Thank you kindly