Thread: 3.9 V8 timing query

Can anyone clarify if Land Rover made a mistake when marking the timing marks on the harmonic balancer? Looking down it shows BTDC on the left and ATDC on the right. Tried setting it at around 4 degrees BTDC and it shuddered and died. Also - when turning the dizzy anticlockwise am I advancing retarding? Simple questions I know but the thing only seems to want to run with the timing at TDC or ATDC. Never had a problem with doing this before. just put together en engine that should have around 220hp and it runs about as good as the worn 3.5. Valve timing is all good.

Originally Posted by bee utey

Should be BTDC on the right side of the pulley. The engine turns clockwise so the rhs marks should come up before TDC. Dissy also turns clockwise, so turning it anticlockwise will make it fire more advanced. BTW be brave and stick a few more degrees on, up to 10 BTDC will run fine on standard compression.

Just as I thought. The marks are wrong. There seems to be a factory standard mark between 4-7 degrees but its on the designated retarded side. Its pulling in fourth at 60kmh like it was pulling in 3rd before, and oh... just realised the vac advance hose was off so Im guessing things will be different when I test it tommorrow.