When the keyway is @ 270*, or pointing towards the exhaust ports on a 90* angle, the engine is @ TDC. There are no markings on the pulley for 0* so I made one. There is nothing in the FSM about checking the timing/pulley/hub becuase the pulleys and hubs are a matched set. They are also matched to the front cover. Basically when you start interchanging pulleys and hubs and front covers, you run into potential timing mark problems. This is something that I had never heard about until recently but Classic Auto knows all about it as well.
There's not going to be anything about it in the FSM because it's not something that can be adjusted. The hub has a key and can only go one way. The bolts for the pulley are offset, so it can only go one way. Basically there is no adjustment in there so the factory wouldn't cover any adjustment becuase, well, there is none. Mazda probably also didn't think people would be interchanging so many parts either which is why they are all slightly different. Hell, if you order a new front pulley from the dealer, you get a new hub as well.
I'm surprised that it's not more well known. A few degrees of timing is the difference between a great running engine and a pile of door stops/paperweights. I would be VERY careful with the pulley/hub/front cover combo.
I myself am using an FD pulley (no timing marks) with an RE hub and front cover. What I did was transfer marks from the RE pulley to the FD pulley and then triple check to make sure everything is on the up & up..
About the small o-rings -
the pick-up tube uses a gasket
the dowels or tension bolts don't go into the front cover so it can't be those
I'm thinking it's the two small o-rings that are under the oil-filter pedastal
Last edited by TitaniumTT; 04-02-2009 at 08:37 AM.
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