Help - Issue with Crank and Sprocket Timing. Lower Belt Cover in the Way GGRRRRRRR

Hey there

Can anyone shed some light on an issue im having that I am baffled about.

I have a Mk1 Cabby. 1.8, Peirburg Carb, 8 Valve.

Have had to replace the head gasket and believe the timing has all slipped.

I am trying to get to the Intermediate Sprocket so I can see the timing mark along with the Notch on the Crankshaft Pully, but the lower belt cover encases the full sprocket. The only way I can see how to get the Cover off is to remove the crank pully, but if I do that then I wont be able to set the timing via the notch. Catch 22cf_emoticons__BangHead:Is there an easy way round this. HELP THIS IS DOING MY NUT IN!!!!.

A stressed MK1 Cabby Lover. Sun is out and my baby is off the road

There is a mark on the plastic bottom cover but it is hard to see, the best thing is remove the plastic cover, you will need to remove the crank shaft pulley but remember where it was, remove the cover then put the crank shaft pulley back on with a couple of bots line up the timing marks (put white paint/tipex) on the notches/ dots. Remove the crank shaft pulley put cover back on, put the pulley back on in the same place.

ignore the intermediate shaft, instead just look at the rotor arm. when top and bottom lined to TDC the rotor arm needs to point at the notch in the dizzy. then fit lead #1 where the arm is pointing, and fit rest 1 3 4 2 clockwise.

also the flywheel has TDC and BTDC marks, you need to use these when settign the ignition timign anyway so unscrew the big plastic bung in the inspection hole (not just the little cap in the middle, the whole thing)

the TDC mark on flywheel is much more accuare than the crank pulley so regardless i recommend you use that not crank pulley.

piccy for you, BTDC is the big diamond, TDC smaller punch: