The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Timing on the BB

Ok I have a 1954 235 truck block bored .040,a 1957 848 head a 1957 new 261 solid cam and a 1951 216 flywheel and bell housing. If I try to time it on the BB it runs like crap and spits back through the carb. I was resetting the timing and I started advancing it and it started running better. When I checked it with the timimg light, the marker was on the triangle not the BB.It quit spitting back through the carb and ran a lot better. My question is could the BB on the 51 216 flywheel not be the right mark to time on for the 54 235?? Am I going to have to use the "PING" test to to time this thing??? THANKS Eric

Eric,

I have a similar amalgamation of parts, and ran into a similar situation recently.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...5_tune-up_advice_needed.html#Post1167873

When timing to max vacuum, it was about 10 degrees advanced according to a timing light. I am in the process of field testing with the "ping" test.

Paul

The markings on different years/engines flywheels differed over the years.

The vacuum timing and "ping" techniques are more reliable than using timing marks. The BB and/or other marks are usually good for getting you close enough to start and warm up the engine.