1981 280zx cannot get timming adjusted. car runs rough

While replacing a timing belt, the timing marks on the cam and crank sprockets must be aligned with the markings on the engine case. However, the most common mistake while doing the repair is the ignition distributor must also be set to correspond to the compression stroke top dead center of the number one cylinder. Even though the distributor rotor is pointing toward the number one plug wire terminal in the distributor cap, it could still be 180 degrees out of time with the position of the crankshaft. If this is the case, the engine will not run. Remove the number one spark plug and bump the starter until you feel a rush of air coming from the spark plug hole. Look on the crank pulley for the timing mark and if necessary, turn the crank with a wrench until the crank pulley mark aligns with the mark on the engine case. Check if the rotor of the ignition distributor is pointing to the number one plug wire terminal. If it is not, remove the distributor and turn the shaft 180 degrees and reinstall it. The ignition timing must then be adjusted with the engine running. It is essential that the timing is set while using a strobe light to get the exact number of degrees before the top dead center. The ignition trimming cannot be accurately adjusted simply be listening to the sound of the engine.

hawkie74542, As you are standing in front of the vehicle looking at the engine the spark plug on the right in the front is the number one cylinder. Remove the spark plug. On your crank shaft pulley find the timing mark and mark it with some whiteout or anything else that will show up well. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise until the mark lines up with zero on the timing gauge on the engine. When you have done this, with a long screwdriver check the hole where the number one spark plug was. You should not be able to put the screw driver in too far as the top of the piston should be right there at the top of the cylinder. This will get you to top dead center. The rotor should be pointing directly at the number one spark plug. Tighten the distributor down but not all the way as you will need to turn the distributor for the final timing. Replace the spark plug and wire and with a timing light finish the timing procedure. Good luck with this.

Sounds to me like your oil sending unit is out. Might want to replace that and that should fix you up.

The engine is a free running type so bent valves should not be the problem. Recheck the timing marks on the camshafts and crankshaft. If you are one timing belt tooth off, the engine could run but run rough. With the number 1 cylinder piston at top dead center, the camshaft marks should be lined up with their "TDC" marks and the crankshaft mark should be at 0 deg.

If the distributor was removed during the belt replacement, make sure it is in time with the crankshaft timing mark. When the No. 1 cylinder piston is at top dead center, the crankshaft timing mark should be on 0 deg. and the distributor rotor should be pointing to the number 1 terminal on the distributor cap at the same time.

take #1 plug out bring the cylinder up on T.D.C.(top dead center) check timming marks making sure that it is T.D.C, on the firing stroke, look at rotor see if it is pointing at #1 on the cap,also check plug wires make sure they are on the right place on cap , and plugs,and check firing order
hope this helps!

84 should still have points. before you remove the old chain make sure number 1 cylinder is at top-dead-center for firing. Be sure the rotor in the ditributor is pointing at number 1. If you are careful in your instal and dont move anything all will be fine when you are done. If something moves be sure the timing marks and rotor are lined up again before you install chain. Timing marks should be on the crank and cam pulleys and should be lined up. Check a manual for correct alignment

The ignition timing is not adjusted with a timing light or with the engine running, and to set the ignition timing follow these proceedures.

There is a mark or notch on the distributor housing that the rotor should be pointing to when the engine is on top dead center. This "static" timing is all that matters and the computer will be able to control the timing as long as the ignition rotor is in that position when the engine is at top dead center.

1. Place the engine at top dead center.

2. Look under the distributor cap and find where the number one terminal runs under the distributor cap, and where that position on the distributor cap corresponds with the distributor housing, and it should match up to a mark or a notch on the distributor housing indicating the number one position.

3. With the engine on top dead center the ignition rotor should be pointing to the number one mark or notch that is on the distributor housing, if it is not then loosen up the distributor and turn the distributor until the ignition rotor is pointing to the mark or notch on the distributor housing and then tighten down the distributor, the engine should now be static timed.

If the distributor can not be turned enough to align the ignition rotor with the number one mark on the distributor housing, or the distributor does not set properly and will not allow the installation of the spark plug wires then the distributor is not installed correctly and is most likely a tooth off and it will need to be re-installed correctly. (The distributor should set like it is shown in the firing order diagram when it is properly installed)

Here is a firing order diagram to also help assist you.

Finding the timing marks is simple, it is an impression (a small arrow) on both the crank and the cam. As for the exact time set, I would refer to the owner's manual but if you are doing it off the cuff pull the number one piston top dead center, line up the rotor button with the number one piston and set crank at top dead center and cam at bottom dead center. This will be a good starting point, but the owner's manual will give you more exact instructions.

The ignition timing is not adjusted with a timing light or with the engine running, and to set the ignition timing follow these proceedures.

There is a mark or notch on the distributor housing that the rotor should be pointing to when the engine is on top dead center. This "static" timing is all that matters and the computer will be able to control the timing as long as the ignition rotor is in that position when the engine is at top dead center.

1. Place the engine at top dead center.

2. Look under the distributor cap and find where the number one terminal runs under the distributor cap, and where that position on the distributor cap corresponds with the distributor housing, and it should match up to a mark or a notch on the distributor housing indicating the number one position.

3. With the engine on top dead center the ignition rotor should be pointing to the number one mark or notch that is on the distributor housing, if it is not then loosen up the distributor and turn the distributor until the ignition rotor is pointing to the mark or notch on the distributor housing and then tighten down the distributor, the engine should now be static timed.

If the distributor can not be turned enough to align the ignition rotor with the number one mark on the distributor housing, or the distributor does not set properly and will not allow the installation of the spark plug wires then the distributor is not installed correctly and is most likely a tooth off and it will need to be re-installed correctly. (The distributor should set like it is shown in the firing order diagram when it is properly installed)

Here is a firing order diagram to also help assist you.

With the timming marks lined up make sure that cylinder 1 is at top dead center on the compresion stroke, then as you lower the distributer back in make sure that the rotor is pointing to the number 1 plug wire post on the distributor cap,mark the distributor where the #1 post is since you can't install it with the cap on.