The octane setting was there because the fuel octane varied back
in the day and/or you could change it when driving at different
altitudes such as in the mountains.
Looking down at the left side of the distributor or toward the
rear of the engine, where the hold down bolt is located, you
will see a plate with some scribed lines on it. Each line is
2° allowing you to adjust plus or minus a total of 10°. Set the
center of this plate or what would be 0°, to the single scribed
index line which is on the block and lock down the bolt.
Being careful not to get into the fan blade, use your screwdriver
to loosen the clamp from the right side of the distributor or
the front of the engine, just enough that you can
turn the distributor.
Idle the engine down to 450 rpm and with a timing light on #1 spark plug,
align the ball or BB on the flywheel with the pointer in that
hole that you've already located and lock down the screw clamp.
Check the timing again to make sure you didn't move things and
this setting should be fine for 99% of the fuel and driving that
you will be doing. There is no need to remove the vacuum from the
distributor on this particular engine as long as you are using a
stock carburetor.
Denny Graham
To cold to work in the barn, in Sandwich, IL
Last edited by Denny Graham; 12/01/2014 10:37 AM.
