Question 1: On a r50 non S mini is The correct way to time it to line up the 2 gold links with the 2 marks on the crankshaft sprocket and the 1 gold link lines up with the 1 mark on the camshaft sprocket ?

Also because we cannot see the crankshaft sprocket without removing the timing cover is there any other way to tell if were in time.

When Timing Bmw's Such as the m62tu or e46 models you can turn to TDC and lock in place but the mini doesn't appear to have any way to know if your at TDC or not that I can see. Does it even matter on the mini if your at TDC?

Thanks for your help on a side note I purchased a mini with a blown head gasket and now that I have replaced the head gasket I want to make sure the car didn't jump time or is correctly in time before putting it all back together. I'm waiting for a response here before putting it all back together just to reinforce what i'm thinking or find out what may be wrong in my thinking.

 

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