The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop timimg a '61 235

How do you time a 235?

jb,

I use this simple technique. You need a vacuum gauge.
Other's might post the slight correction that could be made to this timing adjustment. I have used this technique for many years on all my old 6-cylinder GMC/Chevrolet engines.

There are timing marks on flywheels. They usually have a TDC/UDC mark (usually a BB/ball embedded in the flywheel at Top Dead Center / Upper Dead Center), and they usually also have a timing mark (different degrees of TDC, depending on engine and year).

I think my 1959 and 1960 261s did not have an embedded ball, they had marks.

You can do "static" timing or dynamic timing (timing light) with those marks (hoping that you have the correct flywheel for your engine).

Whether I use Tim's method, or use a timing light, I don't call it good enough until I drive it under load to listen for the telltale light ping. This can be done up a hill in 3rd gear when 2nd gear would have been a better choice. I then advance it a degree at a time from there until the ping is gone. If you get greedy and advance it too much past the ping position, you will loose power.
Carl

Carl, I have to disagree just a little-- - - -if it's pinging, it's advanced too far already. When you hear the detonation, retard- - - -don't advance the timing a degree or two at a time.
Jerry