What do the cylinders (firing order) need to be set at when replacing a timing

[candyo69]

belt for a 2000 kia spectra gsx? My husband is tring to finish installing the timing belt on our 2000 kia spectra. I hope I worded this question correctly. Needs to know what the cylinders need to be set at????

[©2009]

On most cars, when doing any kind of work where the timing is involved, the number one cylinder should be at top dead center of the compression stroke. This will put the alignment marks on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets together and the rotor of the distributor pointed at the number one cylinder spark plug wire terminal making the timing close enough to start the engine and make timing adjustments.
It would be wise to spend the 15 bucks on a Haynes or Chilton manual for the year and model of the car, this will save you a lot of effort and expense whenever do your own mechanical work.

[thebax2006]

Before removing the old timing belt he should have set all the timing marks on TDC. There are timing marks on the crankshaft pulley and on the camshaft pulley. If they are not lined up he will need to turn the crankshaft slowly until the TDC mark is lined up with the pointer on the timing belt cover. Then back it up 1/4 turn so all the pistons are partially down. Next turn the camshaft pulley to line up its timing marks. Return the crankshaft to TDC and install the timing belt. He's nuts to be doing this himself if he's not a mechanic and you will be lucky if he doesn't bend all the valves.
Have him turn the crankshaft 2 revolutions by hand before starting the motor, if the belt is off a couple of teeth and they hit a piston you may save having to tear the motor apart and spend $1,500 on repairs.

[Robert M]

All 4 cylinder engines have the same firing order. 1,3,4,2. When number 1 and 4 are at top center, the crankshaft markings should indicate it at the pointer. The tricky part is to set the camshaft(s) correctly to match. Use ALLDATA data base at the library, or buy a Haynes or Bentley manual. The pictures should say it all!!! You can check for top dead center by removing the 1 or 4 plug and inserting a thin screwdriver through the spark plug hole. The intake valve cam and exhaust valve cam should both be pointing away from the valve stem. Good Luck!!!