The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Dumb Question on timing

Yes you did, not a big problem though. Go back disconnect the vac from the carb and plug the carb. Put the octane selector back on "0" and bolt the dist down. Then loosen the dist screw on the front side of the dist. Hook up your timing lite to #1 plug etc and point to the hole on the top of the starter. The goal is to get the pointer lined up with the ball in the flywheel if its a 216 or line or other marks in different engines. To do this you need to turn the dist either one way or the other. You may have to do the white out thing on the ball and pointer to see in the dark. Be patient and sneak up on this stuff. If you put a vac guage on the intake manifold you will see the vac climb or fall depending upon where you turn the dist. You want it 20 or 21 if you can. Note that when the vac is highest the timing will be right on the ball on the flywheel or marks. Thats about 5 degrees advanced in some engines. Good job. Then adjust the air fuel screw to get the highest and steady needle on the vac guage. Finally adjust your rpm. Done.