Timing belt slipped off :(

[Bluntman]

I find a top dead center indicator to be rather handy, especially on a vehicle where the marks are not on the crank pulley and are working alone. You can watch it when #1 is coming up on compression stroke and get you where you want to be, then make sure you are on the mark at the flywheel. I have a couple for different size plug holes.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....&group_ID=1594

[Ju_S12_Turbo]

yes they are the right plugs, I did line up the marks right (hooray) it is now running on all cylinders, though the only way I have got it to not eat the plugs is to move the washer almost all the way up the plug (about .5in from the end of the threads) Since I have done that the car runs good again. Now I am going to find some short plugs to buy for the car for temp use, because later on I want to swap engines.

Also bluntman, that tool is all sorts of win and I thank you for showing me that.

[cygnus x-1]

There is something massively wrong with this engine. The pistons cannot hit the spark plugs, even if they were too long. The intake valve would hit the plug first. Really the only possibilities are a totally bent valve or there is something in the cylinder that isn't supposed to be there. At the very least, pull the plug and shine a flashlight in there. And if you have one of those magnet on a stick things, put it in there and see if you can fish out any metal.


C|

[Dr_Snooz]

This isn't a shaved head/block kinda deal is it?

[Ju_S12_Turbo]

haha no this is a engine that has something massively wrong with it. Now the only reason I don't think it is a bent valve is because the engine runs great when all the spark plugs are firing and if the valve was bent it would not run for shit at all. Also I thought about something being in the cylinder, but if this were the case there would have to be something in all of the cylinders and I find that a little hard to believe (But stranger things have happened)

[Oldblueaccord]

Try and hunt down some shorter plugs. It may take some trial and error with a helpful parts guy to get a set just to see what it will do.

Also I am curious what the compression readings are. If its +200 psi a cylinder someones messed with it.


wp

[Dr_Snooz]

haha no this is a engine that has something massively wrong with it. Now the only reason I don't think it is a bent valve is because the engine runs great when all the spark plugs are firing and if the valve was bent it would not run for shit at all. Also I thought about something being in the cylinder, but if this were the case there would have to be something in all of the cylinders and I find that a little hard to believe (But stranger things have happened)

Something's not right here. You say the engine threw a timing belt and now it's kissing the plugs? But not before? But it still runs great? What the hell???

[Dr_Snooz]

And how the crap does a timing belt "slip off"?

[cygnus x-1]

The plugs have nothing to do with the timing belt.

Also, the plugs are at least 3/16" above the surface of the head (unless it's been milled), and then there's the gasket thickness and the dish on top of the piston. Normally it would be physically impossible for the pistons to EVER hit the plugs.

It's possible the pistons are not from an A20. If they were domed it would explain this. It could also be the plug holes were stripped out and repaired in such a way that they protrude into the cylinders more.

Or the engine is not really an A20?


C|

[Ju_S12_Turbo]

And how the crap does a timing belt "slip off"?

Look I don't know how it slips off, when I pulled the cover the belt was still there and in one piece but no longer on the cam gear. And yes thats what I am saying. the car the day of the auto-x was dropping cylinders at random and from what I can grasp it seemed as if it were jumping time in such a way that it didn't stop it from running, but it would lose random cylinders. when I get a chance I will try to take a video of what is happening. All I know there is something wrong (duh) and it is going to cost more then this engine is worth (not a20's just this engine). As far as other repairs go, I don't know much since I found this car and got it running. One of the spark plugs were repaired with a heilcoil but that is stuck on the plug. Now that plug is the only one that is not getting hit, I think it is because it does not sit as far down as the rest due to the helicoil. Meehhhh, I will figure it out.

[Oldblueaccord]

Maybe also verify that the head is an A20. I do think the the A18 head will work and maybe add some compression. Mark did a head chart with numbers somewhere on here. I dunno if the plugs would be that different.

Glad its running otherwise.

wp