The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1951 motor

SimonBolivar,

The initial adjustment timing setting is different for different year engines.

Also, different year flywheels have differerent marks, including a ball, line(s), a triangle - usually at least a ball is there.

Here is some information on the timing mark for various engines/years. Please note that a flywheel from one year might be found on another year's engine:

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/468.cfm

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/468.cfm

Once you know you have the distributor installed correctly to fire the #1 cylinder on its compression stroke, and you have the plug wires in the proper rotation-order, you can use the ball or just about any other nearby mark as the initial/rough timing mark (to get the engine to run and rough idle).

Once you can get the engine running/idling, you can fine adjust the timing setting by using a few other techniques (highest vacuum reading at 2,000 rpm, or a "no ping on load adjustment").