Alfa timing--??

I'll be replacing the clutch on an '88 Alfa Spyder Quadrifoglio, and the owner is telling me the transmission has to be "timed" with the engine, when installing the new clutch, or the engine will not start. This sounds absurd to me, but then, I've never worked on an Alfa Spyder. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks in advance.

Anyone?

I know the GTV and Milano needed the torquetube balanced with the clutch.. but unless you are pulling the flywheel.. I do not see why you need to time the engine to the transmission

Check and see if you can find a engine speed pick up off the back. I have heard that the Bosch picks that up off the back of the engine but have no first hand knowledge.

Oh and alfabb.com may help too

wouldn;t that pick up off of the flywheel though?

mad_machine wrote: wouldn;t that pick up off of the flywheel though?

Yes, but I don't know where the sensor is. I kinda doubt that there is real timing needed, though. Should be fixed and controlled by the ecu

I think he's mixed up the flywheel and the gearbox. There is definitely a steel "nipple" on the flywheel that rotates past a sensor (two sensors?) that plugs into the bellhousing. But, there is nothing special about the gearbox.

I didn't see how there could be. Just shifting would change the "timing" between gearbox and engine. Everytime you pressed the clutch, it would change

Later model red block Volvos use a crank sensor with the pickup on the flywheel. The bolt pattern on the crank is symmetric, so the flywheel can be bolted on in any location, causing dramatically incorrect ignition timing.

Perhaps this is the situation he was trying to explain to you.

Seems as if the owner is mixing things up a little. Timing is taken off of the flywheel, but it's not adjustable. On the other hand, if you forget the input, the car won't run.

Basically, put it together like you took it apart, and it'll be fine.