1986 Toy Ignition Timing Issue

[Bubbag]

Hi
I have an 86 Toy and I had the head machined and put a new head gasket on. Since the engine was apart, I decided to fix an oil leak on the oil pump. I now have it all together but the ignition timing is messed up. I can get it to run at a high idle (1500-2000 rpm) but it will not run at idle (950 rpm). I can check the timing at high idle and it is in the neighborhood of 30+ degrees. When I put the timing chain back on, I made sure cylinder 1 was at TDC (0 degrees on crankshaft and I also checked by looking in the spark plug hole) and the camshaft dowel was set at the top (12 o'clock). I have checked all of the vacuum hoses, the fuel pump, and the EGR valve and am convinced I have an ignition timing problem. I have read that I might be off a tooth on the timing, but I do not understand how that could be because I was at TDC on cylinder 1 and the camshaft dowel was at 12 o'clock. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me. Thanks.

 

[raydouble]

At TDC where did the rotor for the distributor sit?

Did you jumper the diagnostic connector while timing the engine?

 

[liljlandon]

Regardless of what seems 'impossible', you are most likely one tooth off. Ive done this many times in my history of Toyota engines. I started taking pictures of the position of the rotor so that it sits exactly where it should.

 

[cruiser88]

With the timing marks lined up perfectly/top dead center..whichever, put the rotor button pointed at 12 o'clock and let it go back to the tooth that it wants to rest on, Make sence? It should roll back toward the front...not toward the cab. I do it everytime on my 84,its never been off.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

The rotor should be pointed at the rubber boot that protects the wires going into the dist.