Timing a rebuilt motor.

So I am getting ready to put in the rebuilt motor and I know how to build it all back up and all but how do I time the motor? Do I have to do it before or after the motor is in? Any quick insight on it? Anything else I should know before I go ahead?

Thanks,
Zac

u can do it out of the truck, line up all the timming marks and drop in the dizzy where it needs to be and lined up and the major work is done, just tine tune it when its in the truck and ready to run

Yep as midnightmike said, do it while it's still out of the truck. It's a hell of a lot easier on your knuckles.

Then use a timing light to fine tune to 6 or 7 degrees BTDC or advanced.

Ok so right now the head and everything is on and the motor is on the hoist. So if I line up the timing marks to what TDC? What is a dizzy lol?

Thanks for the help.

Zac

If I remember correctly, it goes something like this:

1. Turn the crankshaft until piston #1 is on its TDC Compression stroke.

2. Take a screwdriver and place it in piston #1's spark plug hole to feel
where the piston is at.

3. Make sure that the piston is not on the exhaust stroke. Look at the exhaust valve for piston #1 to make sure it is'nt.

4. Take the camshaft sprocket and line up #1's notch <i>A</i> tooth to the right of the notch on the head.

5. Make sure nothing moves in its position as you install the timing belt.

6. By the time the timing belt is installed and you have it properly
tensioned, the camshaft sprocket should line up perfectly with the notch on the head.

7. Now, take the dizzy(distributor) and remove the cap.

8. Turn the rotor so it will be in the position for firing on the #1 piston. If you do not know where #1 is. Put the cap on and mock up the spark wires so you can figure out where #1 is.

9. Once the rotor is firing on #1 push the distributor all the way in so the teeth will mesh with the camshaft. If you aligned it right it will either have not moved at all or moved only a little bit.

- Once the engine is ready to be fired, take the timing light and time it to 6 BTDC! Keep it at 6 like Mazda says, dang it! Lol...

If it does'nt fire you better hope you only need to adjust the distributor, lol...

With out the timing belt on the piston does not have a compression stroke or exhaust stroke that is done with the cam. the piston is ether up or down. Now take what he just said about the compression stroke and exhaust stroke and apply to the cam on the number 1. If your not sure then turn the cam and watch it. then the intake valve opens and the closes turn it to ether A if you have a 2.0 or a 1 if you have the 2.2. then do just has he said up top. But I would not use a screw driver to check to see if Number 1 is TDC. use something soft but still strong so It wont score the piston or cylinder walls.

both the above people were right... but pont nailed it on the head.

dizzy is the distributer..i use a small peice of strong wire to find the piston