timing marks

[scottneely]

I am rebuilding my A-4 and I noticed that when I line the dots up on the cam and crank the number 4 cylinder is at top dead center on the compression stroke instead of the number one cylinder. If this is correct I guess it goes back to the issue with the manufactorer thinking of the timing gears as the front of the engine. so #4 is really #1. How does this effect my timing when I put my new electronic ignition distributer in?

[Don Moyer]

The short answer to your question is that the alignment of the timing marks during engine assembly and the later requirement to set the engine to the TDC position of the cylinder at the flywheel end of the engine are two totally separate issues. In other words, take care of the timing marks on the gears now, go through the process of finding the TDC of the number one cylinder later to set up your Ignitor, and everything should work fine.

Don