So dizzy, it fell off!

[Spacemud]

The distributor sort of fell out of my 2.5, 109 (don't think it's the original if anyone has one going spare!) and whilst trying to refit it I find that there isn't any timing marker on the engine so I can't adjust it properly. Is there any other way I can set it up, I'm a bit stuck now?!!
Cheers,

Spacemud

[Range Rover Blues]

Yes.

Remove the plugs so you can turn the engine.

Carefully place a length of something like dowel (wood or plastic better than metal) down through No.1 plug hole to feel for the top of the piston, it's important you drop it vertically, not at an angle to the piston.  The idea is to feel the piston about half way up.  Mark the dowel where it comes through the plug hole, to give a reference.  now spin the engine so that the crank is the other side and the piston roughly at the same height, adjust the crank position until the reference mark lines up again.

Now, if you were wise enough to mark the crank pulley at each of these 2 positions then you can measure around the pulley and TDC will be halfway between the 2 marks.

For accuracy you want to have the piston half way down but this method will work at almost any height provided it is not too near TDC or BDC.

[Spacemud]

Thanks, much appreciated. I'll give it a go!

Thought there must be a way but wondered if it maybe had something to do with taking the rocker cover off and watching the valve positions.

Spacemud

[hingmy]

You don't even need to drop all plugs. Remove no. 1. With a thumb or finger over the hole turn the crank over using the pulley. The piston moves upwards twice in each cycle. Once is the compression stroke prior to ignition and once is the exhaust stroke where a valve is open so you shouldn't feel any pressure. Once you've established that you are on the compression stroke then drop a dowel of suitable length into the plug hole and watch its motion as you complete the compression stroke. This will give you TDC. Given patience and a little measurement you can then work out the usual 3 and 6 degree timing marks.

[Range Rover Blues]

You need to do that too so as you know whether it's TDC on the compression stroke or the exhaust stroke as the dizzy turns at half the engine speed ie it passes TDC twice in the 4 stroke cycle.

[Sheddy]

I'd like to see you turn the engine by hand with three spark plugs in place !

[hingmy]

Never had a problem, but i was a lot fitter in them days. Now, feeling a bit feebler, i have a v8 with much less resistance. Well if you're having a problem please feel free to slacken off the other three plugs. Personally i don't recall having to but whatever makes life easier for you chap.

Oh and before you make disparaging remarks about compression it would hold 75mph on 3:74 diffs + 7.50s in 5th on the A9.

[Spacemud]

My girlfriend had no problem turning it by hand with the 3 plugs in it yesterday, and she has arthritus.  Although she did use the starting handle!!!!!