Going to install a new distributor into 1982 22R. Watching video on installation in 22R, author says timing mark should be at 0 degrees TDC. My gut says that an engine timed at 8 degrees BTDC would require the timing mark, for installing a new distributor, be set at 8 degrees BTDC. Need the pros response. Distributor arriving today.

 

This applies to any 4 stroke engine you will ever work on. Find #1 intake valve and watch it go down and up as you turn the crank. As it comes up the piston will approach TDC. You can stop with the timing mark at zero or 4 or 8 degrees BeforeTDC. It’s up to you. Insert the distributor with rotor pointing right at #1 plug wire on the cap. If you set timing mark on 0, you will soon be grabbing the timing light to advance it to 4,5, 8 or whatever the recommended timing is because engines run like crap with zero degrees of spark advance. So I just put it there to start with and it will likely start right up.

 

The dist on these is stabbed with the engine at 0 degrees BTDC, on the #1 piston. The dist is inserted with the rotor pointed at 0 degrees, and will rotate CCW as this is done until the rotor points to about 10 o'clock, or directly to the #1 plug wire, with the cap on correctly.
Then, a jumper is inserted into the test jack, T1 to TE1, or E1, whichever your jack has. This will, supposedly, lock the timing at 8 degrees BTDC. with the vacuum line farther out from the dist pulled and plugged. It should be close enough that the dist can be adjusted to bring it into spec. Then shut the engine down, pull the jumper, and attach the vacuum line. Start it up, and check the timing again, and it should be running at about 12 degrees, but varying with engine speed, load applied, etc etc.

Now, I'm speaking from my experience owning an 87, 2wd pickup, 22R, since 1988. I've set the timing a large number of times, and the above is the procedure.Your settings and numbers may vary slightly, but that's the basic, "how-to" for a 22R engine.

Hope it's some small help.
Pat☺

 

Closing the loop...I followed the advice above on my 82 22R less the "jumper test jack" thing recommended by 2TOYGUY. Set at 0 degrees TDC put the rotor pointing at number one cylinder and inserted the distributor, locked it down, replaced the cap, fired up the engine and threw the timing light on it. I had to twist the distributor slightly to line up the teeth correctly and the first two times I was way off, probably by one tooth, but the third time was charm. I could hear the difference in the engine right away and was able to time it to the specified 8 degrees BTDC.
Thank you MELROSE 4R AND 2TOYGUY!!

 

Good work. Glad to hear you got it going.

 

I found a diagram of vacuum lines and rerouted two lines and the timing jumped back to about 20 degrees past dead center. I've had no luck trying to realign the distributor. I plan to remove the valve cover and with the rotor pointing at cylinder one and the timing mark at TDC, check if the intake valves are where they are supposed to be. But, I don't remember which thread I read about this process. What should I look for?