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General Tech Timing and Valve Tuning--with a plastic fan

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KVH

KVH

Obi Wan
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I've got my TR4A up in the air on jacks. Though it's an IRS model, I swapped out the rear differential with GoodParts, and I have a Nissan 300ZX differential. That's an LSD differential. I have a plastic fan and can't manually rotate the crank other than by spinning the tires.

Well, I'm trying to rotate the engine (to time it and check the timing marks) by spinning a back tire, or even both at the same time. It won't work. The engine doesn't rotate, and the the tires are impossible to rotate. But when back on the ground I can push the car forward in 4th gear and the engine rotates just fine so I can tune the car.

Is there an easier way here? I can't imagine going through this to set the valve clearance, aside from the timing. I'd need to be 7 feet tall and have eagle vision to see the valves reach the exact point for adjustment while standing at a back tire--to exaggerate bit.

Any better suggestions? Get a steel fan back on there?
 
Thx Bob. I actually have the plugs out. There's not enough room between the fan and radiator to get a wrench on the crank bolt. I'd use a pipe wrench on the fan extension but that would mar it all up. I'll go to ACE and look for some kind of wrench and I'll get some strap rubber for the extension. I'll get it simplified. A steel fan sounds attractive. The plastic one provides marginally better cooling but not as good as my auxiliary fan on my other TR.
 
If the starter is in, use it to turn the engine. The position doesn't have to be exactly right to set the valves. If the starter is out, use a big screwdriver or pry bar to turn the flywheel.

If it is up high enough, you should be able to turn the engine with a big screwdriver stuck into a U-joint.
 
I don't know about the TR4 but on my TR6 with plastic fan I remove the plugs and use a socket on the alternator to turn the engine.
 
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