dead timing
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 398
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From: london, ontario
when i did mine i pulled #1 plug, used a piece of wire to measure till i found tdc, then we-installed the dist. then you can fine tune. post what engine you have and mabye someone else will jump in.
gl
mark
gl
mark
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Now ya got to ask yourself, was it TDC compression or exh stroke?
Feel lucky, well do ya?
Try it again bumping the motor with the plug out on #1 until you feel pressure, start of compression, then rotate some more until your timing numbers on the damper appear under the pointer like 8 degrees before.
Then insall dizzy. If with pionts rotate dizzy until points just break (open), should be close enough for starting motor. Same applies with electronic.
Feel lucky, well do ya?
Try it again bumping the motor with the plug out on #1 until you feel pressure, start of compression, then rotate some more until your timing numbers on the damper appear under the pointer like 8 degrees before.
Then insall dizzy. If with pionts rotate dizzy until points just break (open), should be close enough for starting motor. Same applies with electronic.
Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Dec 27, 2006 at 05:40 PM.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
its a 302 with 351 cam (previous owner). with dist cap off,and at tdc, rotor points to next cylinder in firing order, not #1 piston. can only retard timing not advance timing light indicates 30 degrees before tdc, thats the only way it runs smooth!
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
It's Easiest with the valve cover (drinking or not drinking ) 
watch for #1 intake valve to close...then bump engine so timing marks line up.
Install dist to point at #1.
Make sure you leave enough room for Vacuum Advance to turn into position
watch for #1 intake valve to close...then bump engine so timing marks line up.
Install dist to point at #1.
Make sure you leave enough room for Vacuum Advance to turn into position
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: london, ontario
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
Just do like these guys say. lift dist. and turn one tooth to correct the problem. then recheck with cap off.. all this is in the manual.. if you don't have then you really need to buy one if your going to keep and tinker with these old classics or you'll always be lost under the hood...my 2 cents
orich
orich
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
The crank and cam gears are notched to fit one way.
Except for cam gears newly made as they have 3 options because of the timing retarded cam gears of the 70's and 80's
It is a must to center slot or (installed "Straight up") the cam gears for best performance.
I doubt that is your problem.
How many miles on this engine and does it have the original cam gear in it ?
If original ...It may be stripped and worn out...the chain stretched..jumped tooth... ?
Except for cam gears newly made as they have 3 options because of the timing retarded cam gears of the 70's and 80's
It is a must to center slot or (installed "Straight up") the cam gears for best performance.
I doubt that is your problem.
How many miles on this engine and does it have the original cam gear in it ?
If original ...It may be stripped and worn out...the chain stretched..jumped tooth... ?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Madison, SD
There is a chance that when the previous owner changed the cam he didn't get the timing marks aligned correctly on the cam and crank gear, which will account for a large error when reading the timing light.....
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Ya have to ask yourself, does the zero timing mark on the damper colaborate
with crank having Mr. piston at Top Dead Center? Damper slippage (not beir spillage).
Establish TDC on the damper first.
What amount of timing chain slack do you have by rocking the crank forward and back (opposite normal rotation) in degrees?
A timing tape with degrees taped on the damper is your best friend, get one and install. If you suspect the cam timing is off and without removing a rocker cover you can find the degrees of the cam by pressurizing #1 to 5 to 8 psi, any more and the motor will turn over by the pressure.
Have a helper listen thru the carb with throttle held open for the sound of air change when intake valve opens and closes, do the same at the tailpipe for exhaust valve timing. Read and note these numbers to see if the cam timing has slipped. This is ball park depending on type of cam installed.
See the value of timing tape?
If all the above is correct then check dizzy for free and proper movement of
centrifugal and mechanical advance.
Install and run.
with crank having Mr. piston at Top Dead Center? Damper slippage (not beir spillage).
Establish TDC on the damper first.
What amount of timing chain slack do you have by rocking the crank forward and back (opposite normal rotation) in degrees?
A timing tape with degrees taped on the damper is your best friend, get one and install. If you suspect the cam timing is off and without removing a rocker cover you can find the degrees of the cam by pressurizing #1 to 5 to 8 psi, any more and the motor will turn over by the pressure.
Have a helper listen thru the carb with throttle held open for the sound of air change when intake valve opens and closes, do the same at the tailpipe for exhaust valve timing. Read and note these numbers to see if the cam timing has slipped. This is ball park depending on type of cam installed.
See the value of timing tape?
If all the above is correct then check dizzy for free and proper movement of
centrifugal and mechanical advance.
Install and run.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
From: charlotte nc
old school class on getting the TDC of any cylinder
Heres an old school trick Ive used many times. First you remove any plug you want to and then screw into the plug hole a piece of candle that fits tight. Next bump the starter(be sure coil wire is out so it wont start) and when you hear "the pop" you will know that cylinder has reached TDC.....If you have the firing order and look at your cap you can then set the distributer back in and it will be dead on. Easy.....Make sure you know which direction the distributer is turning .