How to set the distributor timing (135 & 136 engines)

NOTE: before you begin with the distributor it is recommended that you first set the valve clearances on a cold engine.

NOTE: distributor timing between 135 & 136 engines vary so the figures are as follows:

- 135 engine's timing is "2 +- 2 degrees" (ie between 0 & 4 degrees) so ideally the timing for a 135 engine would be 2 degrees

- 136 engine's timing is "5 +- 2 degrees" (ie between 3 & 7 degrees) so ideally the timing for a 136 engine would be 5 degrees

Equipment needed:

- Stroboscope

This is the one that I use: https://www.kroftools.com/en/regulation-and-test/digital-display-timing-light_p1781.html

- Ratchet

- Flathead screwdriver

- Philips screwdriver

- White permanent marker or pen corrector fluid

- A bolt or a screw

Procedure is as follows:

Step 1:

Locate the crankshaft pulley on the right side of the engine and find a little "V" shaped notch on it.

NOTE: when looking at the engine that would be your left hand side, the same side where the water pump is located, right next to it is your No.1 cylinder.

Step 2:

Take a white permanent marker or a pen corrector fluid and mark that "V" shaped notch.

Step 3:

Take a white permanent marker or a pen corrector fluid and mark approximately between 3 & 7 (also mark 5 degrees (ie in between 3 & 7 degrees)) degrees for 136 engine and 0 & 4 degrees (also mark 2 degrees (ie in between 0 & 4 degrees)) for 135 engine on the timing chain cover.

Step 4:

Disconnect the battery negative terminal and unclip the distributor cap.

Step 5:

Take a philips screwdriver and remove the right hand side engine undershield.

Step 6:

Using a ratchet, rotate the crankshaft bolt clockwise until the "V" notch on the crankshaft pulley is aligned with the "0" on the timing chain cover.

Step 7:

With the crankshaft in this position No.1 cylinder is at the Top Dead Center (TDC). Now take a look at the distributor rotor arm. If the distributor rotor arm is pointing at the notch in the distributor rim, then No.1 cylinder is correctly positioned and on compression. If the distributor rotor arm is pointing in the opposite direction, the No.4 cylinder is on compression, in that case you need to rotate the crankshaft one full turn clockwise until the rotor arm points at the notch.

NOTE: if your distributor does not have a notch on the inner rim, the distributor rotor needs to be pointing upwards, not downwards.

Step 8:

Reconnect the battery negative terminal.

Take your timing light and connect it to the battery's + & - terminals and the HT lead of No.1 cylinder's sparkplug.

NOTE: if you are using the same/similar timing light as I have, you will need to adjust the timing on the stroboscope according to the engine type that you have (135 or 136 engine).

Step 9:

Refit the distributor cap.

Step 10:

Start the car and let it get to it's operating temperature.

Step 11:

Take a flathead screwdriver and unscrew the screw band clamp that's retaining the distributor's vacuum advance hose. Take a bolt or a screw and plug it temporarily.

Step 12:

Take a ratchet and unscrew the distributor retaining bolt just enough so that it can be rotated.

Step 13:

Point the stroboscope at the crankshaft pulley and press the trigger. The "V" shaped notch should match to the marked point on the timing chain cover that you marked.

NOTE: this is for 136 engine.

- If the "V" notch appears above 7 degrees rotate the distributor (retard the timing), if the "V" notch appears below 3 degrees rotate the distributor (advance the timing). Ideally you would aim for 5 degrees.

NOTE: this is for 135 engine.

- If the "V" notch appears above 4 degrees rotate the distributor (retard the timing), if the "V" notch appears below 0 degrees rotate the distributor (advance the timing). Ideally you would aim for 2 degrees.

Step 14:

The timing should now be set correctly. Grab a ratchet and tighten the distributor retaining bolt.

Step 15:

Turn off the car and grab a flathead screwdriver. Unplug the distributor's vacuum advance hose, reconnect the hose back to the distributor and tighten it.

Step 16:

Disconnect the stroboscope from the battery's terminals and from the No.1 cylinder's sparkplug HT lead. Take a philips screwdriver and install the right hand side engine undershield.

Congratulations, you have correctly set the distributor timing!

Cheers!