Hey guys I have an 84 4runner with a 20r in it. I went to adjust my timing today and noticed I do not have a timing plate with the 8, 5, 0 etc.. on it. There is just one line on the top of the oil pump cover there where the timing plate should be. It is not broken off or anything, it's just not there. How do I adjust my timing now?

 

Here's some pics of it.

 

Typically only the marks are there, below is the numbers that go with the marks:

 

Ya but there are no marks, just that one it doesn't look like any of the other timing plates I've ever seen on yotas.

 

You can find TDC on compression stroke on Cyl #1 through the spark plug hole. Mark where the notch is. I think the timing on a 22r is 0 deg so you would be set just use the mark you put there.

 

without the marks or some sort of index to compare against, with what looks like only a 0 mark, you would need an adjustable timing light to dial in the desired advance on, then match the mark on the pulley with 0. that is assuming that mark is 0.
since you aren't even sure the line you see is 0, all I would suggest is set the idle and timing, with the timing matching to that mark, then drive the truck. If it seems sluggish, advance the timing a bit, or if it pings, retard the timing a bit, and don't forget to re-adjust the idle when you change the timing. Keep adjusting things till you get the highest advance you can get without pinging at light throttle in a higher gear like 3rd or 4th, and without pinging at high RPM's in lower gears.

 

I bought a timing chain kit with cover on e-bay a couple of months ago and the timing tab was barely legible. For the price I paid, I guess I cant complain. Yours may have been replaces with a cheap casting from overseas. Get a new cover. 50-60 bucks for a decent one with numbers. Dont buy sight unseen though.