The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop How do we time this 235?

We're stuck. To time a 235 I thought we should just loosen that bolt on the block to the flywheel side of the distributor. It looks like it clamps the distributor in place. But when we have that bolt loose I still can't get any rotation. It does feel loose up and down.

What am I missing?

You don't loosen the bolt on the block, that holds the distributor in place. There is a screw clamp that is part of the advance assembly. The screw head is probably next to the block facing frontwards. Back that off and you can rotate the distributor.

Thanks my friend!

That was the only other thing that made any sense, but it looks like somebody modified it in the past. The screw head is back towards the flywheel and we can't see, or even feel, what type of head is on it. It feels smooth. On the part we can see is the threaded section with a square nut on it that's almost impossible to access.

But I guess we'll have to try....

Thanks again. We appreciate the advice.

Here is what I would do:
Note the position of the rotor, undo the bolt in the block, remove the wire from the coil to the distributor, unhook the vacuum line and pull the distributor. Then you can have a good look and maybe correct somebody's handy work. Good luck.