Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area The Engine Shop My engine

No problem- - - -You're very wise to start with the basics, which is how these engines ran for decades. They were designed to respond to tuning efforts by mechanics with limited access to measuring equipment (or none at all) under some very primitive field conditions. It's possible to do a perfectly acceptable job of setting timing without even running the engine, and that's the way the "pointer and ball" was designed to be used. A strobe timing light helps to compensate for wear in the timing gears, distributor drive gear, and distributor shaft and bushings. Once you're comfortable with doing the basic timing procedure, we can move on to more sophisticated procedures later if desired. The basic procedure will work sufficiently for the next 50-odd years without any further tweaks, however. Getting anal-retentive about stovebolt maintenance is a good way to kill time, but it's a fool's mission!
Jerry

Yes. Well said. And I really thank you for your advice and encouragement.

OK. I received my new innova 5568 professional timing light. Now I'm planning to get my engine in tip top shape. Can you help me with what I need to see and where I need to go. I believe it will be good with telling me the timing and dwell. I'm not sure what the dwell will say and what I need it to be set at. Any help is appreciated. Thank you

OK- - - -for now, ignore the "dwell" part- - - - -it just confuses the issue. Set the point gap to specification, and don't worry about dwell. I don't have any experience with the Innova light- - - -I use professional-grade tools and my timing light is a Snap-On. There should be a way to set the timing advance indicator to zero and use the light as if it did not have an "advance" function. Connect the power leads to a good source of battery voltage and ground, and attach the flash trigger lead to the #1 spark plug wire. With the engine running at idle and the vacuum line disconnected from the distributor and plugged, turn the distributor housing until the flash shows the ball aligned with the pointer. Lock the distributor adjustment down. The timing is set.
Jerry

So, dwell deals with the points? I have the Petronics electronic ignition system. Can I take back this timing light system with dwell and get just the one that has the light? That would save me about $80. Thanks again.

If you take it back, get a $12.99 vacuum gauge and you will be able to keep your stovebolt-six tuned just as well as the engines of those who fiddle with gauge/metered-timing to set to the timing mark (and, you can also nicely adjust the carburetor using the vacuum gauge).

Hey HRL, since the Stovebolt vacuum advance only functions when the throttle valve opens (unlike many V8s), is it still necessary to disconnect the vacuum line? The Factory Book says to leave it connected (or at least makes no mention of disconnecting it)
Carl

Thanks Tim. Do you use a timing light with the vacuum gauge?

You could use both.

But, I now only use the vacuum gauge.

The formulation of gasolines make the original timing marks only close/adequate. Moreover, we often do not know what vehicle our flywheels came off of. The timing marks on the flywheels (for the timing lights) might not be correct for the engine and peripherals.

Besides, the vacuum gauge is quicker and easier (and allows for a quick adjustment of the carburetor/s).

Hi Tim. Thank you. I do have a vacuum gauge but will be learning. I thought that I needed a timing light to set the timing and agree with you on the flywheel and bell housing. I am running 6 volts, so the flywheel is from a 216, and the bell housing fits the 235. I have what I have. I need a lot of help to tune it. Thank you for your advice.