The dots on the crank and cam sprockets only line up when No1 cylinder is at TDC on the firing stroke. ie with both valves closed.
Before you start dismantling make sure No 1 cylinder is at TDC on the firing stroke otherwise you will be up the proverbial creek without the required paddle when it comes to fitting the spockets in the correct position. The spockets will both go on but the dots will not align correctly unless No1 cylinder is at TDC on the firing stroke and the cam is also in the correct position for No 1 cylinder at TDC on the firing stroke..
It is advisable to back off the rocker adjusting screw to ensure there is no spring pressure acting on the cam as spring pressure may cause the cam to rotate once you take the chain and sprockets off. Not all rocker screws will need to be backed off as some valves will be closed and some will be open or partially open.

Hope this helps
RonR


Good Luck
RonR

Ron, when the dots are aligned it is firing on #4, NOT #1. This catches many people out- they line the dots up then set the dizzy shaft as per the workshop manual pic and it doesn't run...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

The bottom alternator mount is also attached to the plate.

If the motor was in a Morris 1100 the engine mounts would be attached to the plate.

Thanks for that guys. I will take the rocker cover off and push the car in gear (with no plugs) along the ground so that I can see when that cylinders on the compression stroke, should avoid the confusion then

Thanks for the tips, now off to see my local mini parts guy

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

Hi Kevin,
It's been a while since I last did this so it seems my memory isn't quite what I would like it to be. I guess I'll just have to claim a "Senior Moment" as an excuse.

Regards
RonR

Now I know why my Mums 1100 didn't start after I pulled it apart to put new seals on the timeing chain - sold it like that as we were moving and didn't have time or inclination to persue it

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Could've just rotated the dizzy 180 and added another coupla yards to the ignition leads,
who would ever know?

Don't envy you Nick re-fitting the sprockets etc in situ. Fiddly & back-breaking. I do enough swearing with it out of the car.

In regard to upsetting the ignition timing, I would have thought the cam follower pressure on the cam & the distributor drive would restrict any movement, esp if the car is out of gear. No doubt other wiser oldtimers will correct me.

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

Yep!!