Is there an article somewhere that has a step by step procedure on how to time these engines (S30)? I just need photo reference alongside technical data (text) so I can rule out what happened here.

 

Yep... check your Haynes manual / FSM.

-Hook up timing gun
-Loosen dizzy tangs (10mm)
-Disconnect vacuum advance line
-Start motor
-Point timing gun at crank timing marks
-Rotate dizzy to desired advance
-Shut off motor
-Tighten dizzy
-Drive happy

Hopefully that's not too complicated.

 

Yeah... Unless I've missed something in the FSM it does NOT have any timing info or reference pictures (if I'm wrong, point me in the right direction as to where exactly this information can be found there). I'm literally going off word of mouth at the moment and would like have this information and visuals to verify all I have to do is re position the oilpump rod so the rotor sits at the 10:20 (again, I'm not 100% sure this information is accurate, hence why I want to verify).

 

It's in there somewhere but with the timing mark on 0 for #1 the rotor should point to 11 o'clock. The timing should be set at 10 BTDC. Test you vacuum advance with a vacuum pump to make sure it is moving freely.

 

Oh, so it has to be 11, Well that takes care of a potential problem lol
I'll check the vacuum advance once I get the chance to but seeing as it wouldn't rev up too far over 4-5k I figured something had to be wrong.

And if this timing information is in said FSM (I have 240 and 260 FSMs), what article is it under?
I've looked in;
~Engine General (also in 260 FSM)
~Engine Mechanical (also in 260 FSM)
~Engine Tune-up (240 only)
~General information (240 only)
~Engine Control (260 only)
and just for ***** and grins
~Engine Electrical (also in 260 FSM)

I've double checked all of those but it's possible I missed something I guess. Some start on the matter of timing but don't carry through. Like Engine Mechanical (If I recall) stated something about installing the oil pump and it's rod but said nothing about how the rotor on the other side should sit.

 

At TDC, the rotor should be pointing straight at the front of the car (directly under spark plug port #1 on the rotor)... hence the reason the motor should spark cyl #1 at TDC of cyl #1.

The oil pump shaft tang should be at 11 o'clock.

A good read: https://www.zdriver.com/forums/showt...&highlight=tdc




And a scan from my 240Z / 260Z Haynes manual:

 

That's right Nismo! My bad.
Make sure your point gap is correct and the dizzy shaft doesn't have too much side play.