Help setting timing on '89 volvo 740 GLE with 16v engine

This engine apparently is timed automatically. After doing a major
repair to it, I found the engine backfires after reinstallation. I
had dismantled the engine and repaired the crankshaft.

After putting things together and back in the car, I found that there
are no ignition breaker or timing wires coming from the distributor.
It only distributes high voltage to the spark plugs. Everything is
clearly marked.

I noticed a special magnet and sensor associated with the flywheel and
I now suspect that I should have installed the flywheel so that the
sensor/magnet was aligned when at top dead center on cylinder 1. I
didn't do that. I just bolted the flywheel back on with no particular
orientation. The flywheel has 8 bolts. I seriously doubt that the
computer can correct for this mislocation of the mark so far from
where I suspect it was intended.

I have tried reordering the spark plug wires so that they keep the
same firing order, but begin with a different plug number. No dice.
The best setting is the original, but it seriously backfires and
simply will not start. The engine behaves as if the timing is too far
advanced.

Am I going to have to pull the engine and reset the orientation of the
flywheel to match cyl 1 to the timing marks???? Any ideas? Am I
right about what triggers the firing order?

Any help sincerely appreciated. My Chilton's makes no mention of the
mark on the flywheel. Everything simply says it is computer
controlled and will self-adjust.

Larry Bumgardner
Durham, NC

 

I hate to break it to you but if it does indeed use a toothed wheel on the
flywheel then yes you'll have to pull the tranny again to align it properly.
Hey at least now you know how to do it.

 

You will have to realign the flywheel correctly as the ignition timing is
critical on this engine. There are diagrams available to give you the correct
alignment.

Cheers, Peter.

: This engine apparently is timed automatically. After doing a major
: repair to it, I found the engine backfires after reinstallation. I
: had dismantled the engine and repaired the crankshaft.
:
: After putting things together and back in the car, I found that there
: are no ignition breaker or timing wires coming from the distributor.
: It only distributes high voltage to the spark plugs. Everything is
: clearly marked.
:
: I noticed a special magnet and sensor associated with the flywheel and
: I now suspect that I should have installed the flywheel so that the
: sensor/magnet was aligned when at top dead center on cylinder 1. I
: didn't do that. I just bolted the flywheel back on with no particular
: orientation. The flywheel has 8 bolts. I seriously doubt that the
: computer can correct for this mislocation of the mark so far from
: where I suspect it was intended.
:
: I have tried reordering the spark plug wires so that they keep the
: same firing order, but begin with a different plug number. No dice.
: The best setting is the original, but it seriously backfires and
: simply will not start. The engine behaves as if the timing is too far
: advanced.
:
: Am I going to have to pull the engine and reset the orientation of the
: flywheel to match cyl 1 to the timing marks???? Any ideas? Am I
: right about what triggers the firing order?
:
: Any help sincerely appreciated. My Chilton's makes no mention of the
: mark on the flywheel. Everything simply says it is computer
: controlled and will self-adjust.
:
: Larry Bumgardner
: Durham, NC