Re: Toycows and Michelle Mouton

[cngnyec@pipeline.com (Richard Davis)]

Mike, 
  The whole idea of "timing" is coordinating, in some fashion, the valve
cycle with the piston cycle and the spark cycle.  In the Audi's we know and
love, this is accomplished with the timing belt and the sensor system you
mention.  As the belt is the only physical link between the cam shaft and
the crankshaft, any advance or retard made to the belt via the cam sprocket
will necessarily affect the physical timing accordingly.  (the length of
time that the valves are open or closed/duration is a function of the cam
lobes profile) I think you are confusing the electrical reading from the
crank position indicator with the physical timing feature of the belt. 
Your reasoning seems right up to the point where you call the process you
describe as the only timing feature of the car.  The sensors tell the
electrical system when to fire by assuming what position the cylinders
should be in when the signals are picked up.  This system "assumes" that
the corresponding correct relationship between crank and cam has been
acheived by proper set up of the timing belt.  The two are interdependant. 
I've posted the response to the list so any digressions can be corrected by
those who know a lot more than me! HTH  
Mike