How do i get piston #1 on the firing stroke..

[Remix-]

How do i tell when my piston #1 which is at TDC is accurately on the firing stroke? I have heard that removing a spark plug and sticking your finger in it until the air starts pushing can give you a good indication of how close you are?

[DAN00H]

you should be able to see a timing mark on the bottom crank pulley and a mark on the timing belt caseing indicating TDC, grab a timing light and it will show you. If you want to do it with the engine off, pull the cam wheel cover off and you will notice timing marks on the sprockets, align these with the marks on the belt - then check the crank pulley / timing caseing marks (should align).

Otherwise, download a copy of the workshop manual and it will explain.

Good luck.

[Remix-]

How does a timing light actually work? I have one but have never used it..

[puckish]

Yes it does.

On the RB 20 and RB25 you can either use the black wire from the back of the coil pack wiring loom or add a additional HT cable between the coil pack and plug on number one then take your reference from there.