The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop how to set timing?

Ok so we just got our rebuilt 54' 235 back and Im trying to figure out the best way to put the distributor back on and set the timing. The Manual says to watch the first intake valve until it opens then check for the piston to be up at the top, then set the rotor pointing at the #1 spark plug wire. OK. So I did that and Im not getting a respone, from starting fluid or anything. The manual says that I should check the flywheel for the TDC mark, but I have the bellhousing on so I can't see it! isnt there a mark on the balancer on the front like a V8? How do you guys do yours? Thanks!

Gearhead, your timing mark is on the flywheel itself. It is a little steel ball. It is not on the front of the moter like a V-8 Look above the starter you will see a hole in your bellhousing. Do like the manual says about the valve opening then get that piston as close to top dead center as possible, then look for the little ball on your flywheel. It should be real close. Put your ball on the pointer and then set distributor on # 1 plug it should fire up, then set your timing. Good Luck Mick Inniss

Hey, hold on a minute...

The distributor shouldn't be firing the #1 plug when the intake valve is open. That is the transition between exhaust stroke and intake stroke, when the exhaust valve has just closed and the intake is just starting to open.

It should fire on the next revolution, at the end of the compression stroke when both valves are closed.

What the manual should say is this: When the flywheel ball and bellhousing pointer line up (window in bellhousing right above starter) The #6 intake valve should begin to open. Then set the rotor to point at the #1 sparkplug.

That is because the #1 and #6 pistons reach TDC at the same time. When one is at the end of its compression stroke and ready to fire for the power stroke, the other is at the end of its exhaust stroke and about to suck in more gas thru intake valve for the intake stroke.

If the engine throws a huge backfire, you've got the plug wires out of order for sure.

Whats that old saying for the firing order:
1-5-3-6-2-4

15 is too young
36 is too old
24 is just right

hope this helps

chiphead

They're right on the ball, but there's an easier way to set the distributor. Pull the plug out of the #1 cylinder, hold your thumb over the plug hole and turn the engine. When the pressure blows your thumb off the hole, you will be close to the timing mark and ready to drop in the distributor.

Ok, are you guys refering to the ball as being the place where theres a chunk missing out of the flywheel, visable through the bellhousing? I see that and its pretty close to where I have the distributor pointing at #1. Did you guys say a little before the "ball" is visable or a little after? thanks

the little ball is a small ball bearing that is pressed into the flywheel about 1/4" in diameter, the ball is not pressed in flat to the surface, rather it is like pressed in half way, as it is protuding above the flywheels plane, like a hemisphere. And I cannot help about the other question, others surely will come to your aid..

If the ball's missin it means Solo has been there......