QUESTION
I need to redo the ignition timing on my Lotus Esprit.
Can you advise the procedure and technical details for a 1987 HC (apparently this engine is stamped as a early 1988 HC motor such is the cars history :/ )
J.G. - Wyalkatchem, Western Australia
ANSWER
The fist step is to set your Esprit engine to TDC, so remove all the spark-plugs to make it easier to turn the engine over.
This also allows you to look at the top of the pistons to see their position in the bores.
Next, remove the oil filler cap so you can see the inlet camshaft lobes.
Then carefully raise the vehicle and place on axle stands so the fibreglass tray underneath the engine can be removed.
Removing the engine tray allows access to the crankshaft pulley bolt which can then be used to turn the crank (socket and ratchet required here)
Gently turn the engine until No.1 piston (closest to the cabin fire-wall) starts to travel up the bore and both inlet and exhaust valves close.
If No.1 cylinder is on the compression stroke, then the cam lobes on No.1 cylinder will be pointing away from each other.
Therefore if you look in the oil filler cap you will see that the inlet cam lobes on No.4 cylinder will be pointing inwards towards No.4 spark-plug (rear most plug)
Slowly turn the engine until the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley or flywheel line up with the pointer.
As a further check, standing at the rear of the Esprit look down the middle of the cam-well towards the camshaft pulleys, the pulley timing marks (coloured dots) should be adjacent to each other - see workshop manual for illustration.
You are now ready to set the ignition timing.
Next step is to install the distributor in the correct position.
For the distributor installation and orientation, see part 2 of this procedure.
Copyright © 2012 Lotus Marques
I need to redo the ignition timing on my Lotus Esprit.
Can you advise the procedure and technical details for a 1987 HC (apparently this engine is stamped as a early 1988 HC motor such is the cars history :/ )
J.G. - Wyalkatchem, Western Australia
ANSWER
The fist step is to set your Esprit engine to TDC, so remove all the spark-plugs to make it easier to turn the engine over.
This also allows you to look at the top of the pistons to see their position in the bores.
Next, remove the oil filler cap so you can see the inlet camshaft lobes.
Then carefully raise the vehicle and place on axle stands so the fibreglass tray underneath the engine can be removed.
Removing the engine tray allows access to the crankshaft pulley bolt which can then be used to turn the crank (socket and ratchet required here)
Gently turn the engine until No.1 piston (closest to the cabin fire-wall) starts to travel up the bore and both inlet and exhaust valves close.
If No.1 cylinder is on the compression stroke, then the cam lobes on No.1 cylinder will be pointing away from each other.
Therefore if you look in the oil filler cap you will see that the inlet cam lobes on No.4 cylinder will be pointing inwards towards No.4 spark-plug (rear most plug)
Slowly turn the engine until the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley or flywheel line up with the pointer.
As a further check, standing at the rear of the Esprit look down the middle of the cam-well towards the camshaft pulleys, the pulley timing marks (coloured dots) should be adjacent to each other - see workshop manual for illustration.
You are now ready to set the ignition timing.
Next step is to install the distributor in the correct position.
For the distributor installation and orientation, see part 2 of this procedure.
Copyright © 2012 Lotus Marques