Had my truck towed to a shop because I was having problems getting it started it cranked but would not fire. I had to replace the head gasket, I used zip ties to hold the sprocket and chain together. I got her all buttoned back up and checked everything. So I have learned that the timing mark has to pass the mark twice, I had the engine off by 180 degrees. I thought I was at top dead center (22re motor).
The mechanic was impressed I had done this before and the chain had cut through the cover, what a mess. He had the vehicle running quickly.
My question is what did he do. I thought I tried that several times. My father in-law was the one that picked up the truck today so I didn't get to talk to the mechanic.
Can anyone here explain what he did to find that out. What tricks can I use to see that. Did this involve pulling the distributor out, how did he know the piston was all the way up?
I love learning about this stuff. Thanks.

 

It's a 4 stroke motor. You have two Two Top Dead Centers - Exhaust and Compression. You set the timing to TDC on the compression stroke. Easiest way to make sure that your on TDC on the compression stroke is to check to make sure #1 valves are loose before setting the cam timing. Cam timing is set at TDC on the compression stroke - 12 o'clock on the cam and 6 o'clock on the crank. That is where the marks should line up.

Then for a 22re ignition timing, you turn the crank with the chain on to 5* on the crank. Then insert your dizzy with the match marks at 12 o'clock and the rotor at 12 o'clock also. Once it set, the rotor should point to the # 1 spark plug on the cap. If done correctly the hold down bolt will be about dead center of the adjustment range.

Then take a timing light and jump Te1 and E1 in the diagnosis box. This will bring the engine back to base timing without any advance. Fine tune it to 5* again and your done. Very little adjustment should be made...again if done correctly.

Timing baffles people for some reason. So many will set a 22re at TDC on both the cam and ignition timing. Then they jump TE1 and E1 and adjust until it's at 5*. Their dizzy is usually rotated to one extreme of the adjustment range to get that 5*. Then they always say the motor has no power but are convinced they did it right...