timing a 351c/m /400
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Junior User
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timing a 351c/m /400
i just picked up a 400 out of a torino wagon. and i went to adjust the timing cause it sounded a little advance but while doing so i had ALOT OF TROUBLE. i thought it was supposed to be at 9 just like the 400 in my truck so i marked it on the harmonic then went to use the light and i cant get the line lined with the light. so i tried at 12 and no luck there so i tried at 0 and still no luck there. PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP ME GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED. WHAT DO I MARK IT AT AND SHOULD I REMOVE THE VACUUM ADVANCE LINE BEFORE HAND.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Southern NM
Remove the vacuum line from the advance and plug it.Mark your balancer at what ever timing you want to obtain.I usually run mine at 10 degrees before TDC.Loosen the distributor hold down clamp and rotate the distibutor until the strobe flash and your timing indication on the balancer align with the pointer.Loosen the clamp bolt enough to rotate the distibutor only!Tighten the clamp down,and recheck the timing references.Also do this with the engine @ idle.Let us know how it works out.
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From: Southern NM
BTDC means before top dead center.ATDC means after top dead center.On the balancer where you see the timing indications there will be a zero.Or,TDC.Look at the numbers to the right of the TDC mark.These will be the BTDC or advance advance indications.To the left of TDC will be the retard timing indications.Clean the balancer off well in this area and you should be able to see the graduations easily.Let us know how you made out or if you need more information.
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oh well im having alot of troubles still. i can get the mark at 10btdc but then when i flash the timing light at it the line is no where near the timing mark. and when i turn the distibutor to adjust it just dies either way.
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yeah i know where to line the mark at but for some reason when i hit the light on it the btdc mark is on the top of the balancer and not anywhere near the timing mark and when i trie to adjust it to get it closer the engine just dies
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timing issues.
Sounds like it's time to start form square one. Pull #1 spark plug, and then align harmonic balance to 0 TDC.
4 stroke dynamics mean that #1 TDC could be either TDC on the compression stroke, or TDC on the exhaust stroke, and that the distributor is turning exactly 1/2 the speed of the crank.
Then pop off distributor cap, noting position of #1 cylinder's electrode on top of cap (I paint a line on top and toward the inside of the adapter just for visual reference) The button 'should' be pointing to the left #1. This is refered to as your static advance.
I find that, through repetition of similar situations, here you'll want the button to be approximately 1/3 of the distance between electrodes to the left from #1 electrode. Setting the static timing will get you running and on your way to dialing in your mechanical and vacuum advance curve, later. Hope this gets you home!
4 stroke dynamics mean that #1 TDC could be either TDC on the compression stroke, or TDC on the exhaust stroke, and that the distributor is turning exactly 1/2 the speed of the crank.
Then pop off distributor cap, noting position of #1 cylinder's electrode on top of cap (I paint a line on top and toward the inside of the adapter just for visual reference) The button 'should' be pointing to the left #1. This is refered to as your static advance.
I find that, through repetition of similar situations, here you'll want the button to be approximately 1/3 of the distance between electrodes to the left from #1 electrode. Setting the static timing will get you running and on your way to dialing in your mechanical and vacuum advance curve, later. Hope this gets you home!
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Junior User
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ok so i totally feel like an idiot right now hahaha. i found a book in the garage to help me out a little and it turns out that i thought the number one cylinder was on the right side but really its on the left. wow pretty dumb of me.
but i got it all figured out now. thanks for all the help though.
but i got it all figured out now. thanks for all the help though.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Another thing to help you in the future... LEFT is ALWAYS the driver's side, no matter if
you're standing in front of the engine or sitting behind it.
EDIT: I have to wonder how this works in Australia & England....
you're standing in front of the engine or sitting behind it.
EDIT: I have to wonder how this works in Australia & England....
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Joined: Dec 2007
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little question:
I have a new balancer, and it has 3 timing marks.... (sfi professional products)
How to determine wich one is right?
i can pull number one for sure, and put a stppey in it, but it won't stop at exactly TC?
Do i have to rotate it backwards then, scribe another mark, and "guesstimate" the center of the 2 marks to be TDC?
Quite a job... Is tehre an easyer way?
I have 3 possible correct options, maybe there's a deletion way?
I have a new balancer, and it has 3 timing marks.... (sfi professional products)
How to determine wich one is right?
i can pull number one for sure, and put a stppey in it, but it won't stop at exactly TC?
Do i have to rotate it backwards then, scribe another mark, and "guesstimate" the center of the 2 marks to be TDC?
Quite a job... Is tehre an easyer way?
I have 3 possible correct options, maybe there's a deletion way?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
little question:
I have a new balancer, and it has 3 timing marks.... (sfi professional products)
How to determine wich one is right?
i can pull number one for sure, and put a stppey in it, but it won't stop at exactly TC?
Do i have to rotate it backwards then, scribe another mark, and "guesstimate" the center of the 2 marks to be TDC?
Quite a job... Is tehre an easyer way?
I have 3 possible correct options, maybe there's a deletion way?
I have a new balancer, and it has 3 timing marks.... (sfi professional products)
How to determine wich one is right?
i can pull number one for sure, and put a stppey in it, but it won't stop at exactly TC?
Do i have to rotate it backwards then, scribe another mark, and "guesstimate" the center of the 2 marks to be TDC?
Quite a job... Is tehre an easyer way?
I have 3 possible correct options, maybe there's a deletion way?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 2
From: chicago burbs
or it's possible that you can just compare the balancers when you have the old one off?