Ignition timing.

[Cees de Bunje]

Hi Guys.

i am a bit puzzled with my timing. I installed everything according the manual. But when i fire it up flames come out of the exhaust manifolds or the carb. could i have made the 180 degrees mistake ? The timing marks can either point for the # 1 cilinder or the # 6 i believe . cees.

[Jason Edge]

Pull hose off vacuum advance and plug end of hose with a nail, or anything that fits inside and seals the hose end.  You can even stick your tongue to it as the suction will make it stick to hose end. .... .but you might have to explain that one to the wife if you get caught! :-)

[Cees de Bunje]

Tim, you will have to drop the oil pump a bit so the shaft from the oil pump disengages from the shaft of the dist. in that way you can turn the oilpump and feel if the shaft slides into the shaft from the dist. You must also pull the dist out of its seating and turn 180 degrees. be sure the timing mark lines up with the TDC mark on the timing chain cover. That must work. at least it did on mine. Cees.

[Cees de Bunje]

Oh i am so happy happy. i finally got the beast back to life. Thank you all for the help and tips. but I am still confused about the manual.

[Cees de Bunje]

Still i dont understand That when you follow the manual, # 1 cilinder is not in compression stroke.

[Cees de Bunje]

i love this site so much.

[Cees de Bunje]

Tony i did the finger on #1 cylinder test and it turned out that the rotor was pointing to #6 tower on the cap. So i will pull the distributor and turn it 180 degrees. that must solve the problem, i think. thanks all for the input and i will let you know how it goes and if it fires correct.

[Jason Edge]

On compression stroke your intake valve has just opened and closed as you approach TDC. Either use the finger method to feel compression or physically watch the valves.  When I rebuilt my engine I had LH valve cover off and watched it open and close and knew I was on compression stroke and put distributor in where "I wanted it positioned"..and installed spark plug wires in correct firing order starting at #1. If you are 180 degrees off simply move the wires around 180 degrees or pull distributor back out and insert where you want the rotor pointed to #1 keeping in mind you will turn distributor slightly back counter clockwise to set timing.

[Cees de Bunje]

Guys, i did all those things. I think the easiest way to check is...place # 1 wire on tower # 6 and see what happens. Is That a good suggestion ?

[Jason Edge]

You can basically throw the distributor in any where you like as long as engine is at TDC on #1 cylinder and the rotor points to #1 designated plug wire and you follow the firing order 18726543 with the spark plug wires. To crank 1st time you will need to turn distributor slightly counter clockwise to approximate the 5degrees advance, then time with timing light.

This is definitely one of those areas people tend to over think.

[Cees de Bunje]

@ David....i did all that. All according the shop manual. Now, the mechanic at the shop marked the valve gear opposit the stamped in marker. Hè said That point was tdc #1. But why is That different from shop manual ?