Thread: Crank pulley advanced about 40 degrees

Anybody have any ideas how I can fix this? I was having serious problems trying to set my timing. I replaced cap + rotor + wires thinking my timing light was getting a bad signal. Then I put a socket extension down the #1 cylinder and it appears to hit TDC about 40 degrees off from the crank pulley markings. I thought the crank pulleys could only go on one way. Can I just unbolt the crank pulley and put it on another way? The car runs fine, but I would like to set the timing properly.

BTW, this car has passed California smog numerous times with the crank pulley on wrong. It shows you how well they check the timing!

There is only one way to put on the crank pulley. If the timing marks don't line up, it's highly likely the outer metal ring of the pulley and the inner ring of the pulley are no longer attached directly. There is a thick rubber layer between these two pulleys that can dry out and separate after many years. If this doesn't make sense let us know and we'll explain it better.

Well.. it doesn't make sense that the crank pulley is made of rubber, but I guess it makes sense otherwise.

It's not actually made of rubber. There's a rubber epoxy-like material that separates the outer ring from the rest of the pulley. When it separates as Ben mentioned, you can only do one thing: Replace the crank pulley.

Ok, I'm on it. But, I am surprised that I don't have other symptoms, like noises, belts coming loose, alternator under-driven, etc. This seems like a pretty serious failure to not have noticed any other problems.
Thanks for the quick responses and the help, I didn't know this forum even existed, and I wasn't getting any useful help on the "other" forum.

It's generally not so bad that you see other symptoms. It generally slips over time and you only notice when checking timing.

make sure when removing the pully not to pry against the front cover directly - had a few guys put a hole through it, then you turned a 10 min job into a 2 hour one!

This same thing happened to a friends GA16 a few weeks ago. The lrubber ring holding the outer ring to the inner one got old and just gave out. Put another crank pulley in and all was good.

Once it gets to a point where it separates..... You're screwed. So don't wait until then.