Head-Mechanics

A timing belt, timing chain or cam belt is a part of an internal combustion engine that controls the timing of the engine's valves. The belt is usually a teethed piece or rubber belt.

Each manufacturer has its own way of timing their cars these days and there is no one set way to time all cars. The standard way was to put piston one at top dead centre TDC on the compression stroke of piston one. unfortunately more and more manufacturers are removing timing marks so as the mechanic need special tools, manufacturers do this to keep more of the work at the dealers. some put the pistons half way up the cylinder bore. but the timing tools will need to be purchased/obtained to do most cars.

a common timing chain looks like this

A common timing belt looks like this

Your MGF should not smoke excessively from the exhaust:
LIKE THIS

We can fix it.