'79 Euro - timing issue

[Rupesy]

I went to have a look at the timing yesterday. Hooked up to number one wire and began shooting the light and no timing mark coming up. Looking at the engine the timing mark is supposed to show up at the mark to the right of center. So I check around and found the marks to the left side of center just the opposite of where they are supposed to be (60 or 90 degrees off??). I'm guessing at a few things here. You must be able to change the belt and get the timing marks off somehow and engine is still timed right. I think I should be able to pick another cylinder and get the timing to line up with the mark on the right side???? I ran out of time yesterday, but will look into again today sometime.

Any ideas?

[Danglerb]

Is the timing for your car set with the vacuum advance hose removed from the distributor?

Are you REAL sure you have the pickup on the number 1 spark plug wire?

[Rupesy]

I plugged both advance and retard hoses. First I tried the front right one (looking at the engine from front of car) on accident, which is not the right one. I couldn't find the timing marks at all looking down on either side. The next time I put it on the first cylinder to the left (looking at the engine from front of car), which is the correct one according to documentation. I found the timing mark on the opposite side.