E30 Zone

Hi can someone please help me understand how to set the ignition timing on an m10 318i? I may have accidentally messed it up when removing the distributor to change the flange gasket.

distributor has a locating tab on it so it only goes on one way

unless you unclamped it and physically moved it?

I took the bolt off from the side of the mount, removed the distributor from the engine. Put it back in place, looked okay but came back to it later and its moved

it has to be in the same position you took it out, especially if you took it out of the engine, you should of put it at top dead centre marked on the dizzy where the rotor is pointing and then remove it as it could be totally out hence your question. so i bet it doesnt run now or well ? there must be people up your end that can sort this ? i do call outs etc so pm if your stuck.

well I haven't really tested it. Car hasn't been switched on for about a month. Engine Bay is a bit bare, trying to replace all the gaskets.

Should have everything back together by end of next month if not start of the month. Was hoping someone could advise on how to actually set the timing so I can have a go at it when the time comes.

get the Bentley PDF manual it will be explained in there but the jist of it I said in the last post

Looking at the Bentley, from what I've gathered, I need to put the engine at top dead centre from the mark on the head after removing rocker cover (towards chain side)
Check that #1 valves are closed. then put the distributer back in by about 45degrees to the right of it? The rotar has to point towards #1 of the spark plug wire on the cap?
Where does the trigger wheel point to or does that not matter?

I'll be attempting this on the weekend if the weather permits. I'll get pictures up of everything then too. Thanks for the help so far much appreciated.

Have you checked that the distributor has been put back on correctly? Ensuring it's coming into contact with all the tabs

are you referring to the cap? yes that is on correct, just the rotar part of it I am not sure of.

Okay so I got the mark by timing chain to match the lobe on the rocker. And the mark on cam to match too. Then I put the distributor in with vacuum advance pointing towards fuse box. Put the rotar arm at about 45 degrees clockwise of the mark so when inserting the distributor the rotar lined up with mark on the distributor. The cap was then put on with leads started from the mark going in clockwise motion as 1, 2, 4, 3.

The car starts put still has a loud pinging/whining sound. Taken it to a garage who suspect the noise is the exhaust manifold gasket. Could anyone provide some advice please