THE INTERNATIONAL JAGUAR 'S'-TYPE REGISTER FORUM

Hi,

Can some one tell me where I can find the TDC marks according the figure 72 in the manual (see attachment).
I can't find this in my car.

Thanks,

Harrie

Repeated on the front Crankshaft damper if that helps.

Otherwise take the plug out of No 1 which is the rear cylinder & observe piston to get into the rough area you should find the mark on the flex plate.

Hi Glyn,

Repeated on the front Crankshaft damper if that helps.

Do you have a picture or photo were I have to look?

Thanks,

Harrie

Attached is a photo of the timing mark on the front pulley.

The timing mark on the front damper is a small notch or cut on the inner edge of the front pulley. It is very difficult to see but can be felt with a finger nail if run around the edge of the pulley. So it is easier to see when the pulley is rotating and you have a timing light on it I have painted the position of the notch with a touch of white paint.

Because it is hard to find at first the best way is to put your engine into top dead centre. This can be done a couple of ways but I found the easiest was to remove all the spark plugs and slowly rotate the engine either with a socket on the front pulley nut (If you can get one on as it is a tight fit behind the radiator) or by touching the solenoid button on the bulkhead so the engine jumps a fraction at a time until you have the rear most piston (number one) at the top of the engine. You can check where the piston is by inserting a long screw driver down the bore telling where the top of the piston is but remove the screw driver from the plug hole each time to try and rotate the engine. The timing mark on the pulley should then be at the bottom close to the timing marker bar.

Thanks Rob. Your pics are better than mine.

Thanks Rob. It's clear.

Harrie

Hi,

Probably a stupid question. But I'm a bit confused.
When I set cylinder 1 in TDC according the timing mark on the front pulley. It seems that cylinder 6 is on the highest position as well.
To which cylinder should the rotor of the distributor point in this case?
When I look at the distributer cap it points to cylinder 1?
Is that correct?

In my E-type its points to cylinder 6 in that position. With the firing order 1,5,3,6,2,4
So I'm confused. Is there a difference in ignition between the XK-engine 4.2 E-type and 3.4 S-type?

Thanks,

Harrie

Just in case you do not know but cylinder number one on the Jaguar XK engine is the one at the back nearest the bulkhead. Is this the one you are lining up to?

Hi Rob,

Yes I know that cylinder 1 is the one at the back. This is on TDC according the mark on the pulley (and the check you mentioned with the screwdriver)
In this position the rotor of the distributer should pointed cylinder 6 according to me.
Is that right?

Regards,

Harrie

Be very careful. If you have taken the distributor apart it is very easy to assemble it 180 degrees out.