My Grandfather has a '88 Subaru GL with the 1.8. It broke the t-belt on the drivers side and so we replaced both belts. We've got the valves timed according to the book, but unfortunately, a well meaning friend messed with the distributer and we can't get the ignition timing set. Any info about doing this would be appriciated. Thanks, Dave

It's an easy fix. First you need to determine where TDC is on the compression stroke. To do that, turn the crank with the #1 spark plug removed (you can remove them all to make it easier to turn). Put a finger into the #1 plug hole and feel for the compression as you near TDC (as indicated on the flywheel). On the compression stroke, stop at 8 degrees BTDC, which is about where your timing should be. Make a mark on the side of the distributor housing with a pencil below the #1 plugh wire. Take the cap off and note where the rotor on the distributor is pointing. It should be pointing right at the #1 plug wire. If it's not, rotate the distributor until it is. This should be close enough to get you running, and then you can time it with a light.

Thanks, I'll have to try that.

another method, if you aren't able to get your fingers into the spark plug hole to feel for compression...

 

remove the passenger side tbelt cover. Rotate the engine until the dot on the cam points North-West (45* CCW from straight up). Put the disty in now so it points to the #1 plug.

 

Since you say it's an '88, I assume it's fuel injected, and not carb'ed? SPFI has it's timing at 20* BTDC, and carbs are 8* BTDC.

 

(edit: another very common problem is when people forget to turn the engine over once inbetween putting each belt on. The two cam dots should be 180* from each other)