How do you (email from a fellow BX'er)

[Tim Leech]

Reply-To: J HAWES <j.hawes227@btinternet.com>
Can you please let me know, Tim, how to turn the crankshaft on my BX, so that I can check the timing. You see I changed my distributor before I realised that I have got no timing plate! My mentors, at my local garage, told me that there is another way of BX timing on some BX models. I've bought a gauge to show me when the cylinder is at the top, but the instuctions assume that my car is so old that the engine is an in-line, so that I can easily get to the crankshaft to turn the engine round, The Haynes book, so very good in some ways, but not in others! Do you know where I can get any information. Also, I don't know if you can put me on to anyone who can find me a Solex carburettor to practice taking to bits. Also I should like a spring tensioner, to enable me to get that big ( 2 inch/50 mm), spiral spring back on, afterwards. John Hawes.

[Kitch]

A) What engine is it?

B) It is an in-line engine. All BX engines are. You don't need a tool to find TDC anyway, just a thumb and a mate

[Defender110]

Put a spanner on the crankshaft pulley bolt head and turn it?

[JayW]

What Ian said!

[Tim Leech]

Its a 1.6 carb bx sorry.

[Vanny]

If the engine/gearbox is in the car, put one front wheel in the air and one on the ground (to overcome the dif), stick it in gear, and turn the wheel by hand. The gearbox will then rotate through to the engine and crank.

Even easier if you have 7 spoke 17" alloy wheels.

[Tim Leech]

Tahnks Vanny.