Incorrect valve timing symptoms?

[Roger]

2000 Mk I Engine.

I have been travelling quite a lot lately so I have not had time for my Vitesse project for a while. And now that I finally have some time, we got some snow here on the island and I only have summer tires so no test driving at the moment. I still haven’t found my missing horses. Engine starts and runs, but it is suffering from severe lack of power plus some symptoms that I would describe as a blown headgasket or leaking valves (“petrol fog” spitting out from carbs). I bought the engine from a scrap yard in Sweden for 100 £ and I have not renovated it. When I first tried to start it I noticed that PO had put the dizzy 180 degrees out. It struck me that if he managed to put the dizzy 180 degrees out, then I can’t be sure that cam chain, cam shaft and valve timing are correct either. Question: What would the symptoms be if the cam shaft and valve timing is not 100% accurate? Google is your friend, but I just find tons of information about modern VVT equipped engines in this matter.

Edited November 16, 2023 by Roger

[johny]

theres another recent thread on here with checking the valve timing and subsequently adjusting it on the same type of engine👍

[Roger]

17 minutes ago, johny said:

theres another recent thread on here with checking the valve timing and subsequently adjusting it on the same type of engine👍

Thanks Johny, it took a while for me to find it since ignition timing was the subject for the thread but I assume you meant this one.

I will read more about how to check valve timing, I was hoping that someone who has had the timing a tooth or half a tooth out could describe what impact it had on engine performance.

 

[Pete Lewis]

spitting out the carb throat is more valve seat rather that cam timing 

most WSM give good clues about checking the cam timing with the use of the rockers and tappet gaps 

so no special tools needed 

Pete

[johny]

Yes the jury is still out on the result of that thread but the thinking seems to be a small error on valve timing doesnt make much difference to engine running...