The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop timing/dwell

I have a 41 - 216 engine that runs, but when the pointer on the bell housing is aligned with the "BB" on the flywheel the engine backfires when reved-up. It also will not start when turned off.
When I adjust the timing by ear and no back fire, the timing mark is way out of sight, past a triangle on the flywheel.
Is the timing adjusted with or without the vacuum advance connected?
If the distributor was put back in one notch off when it was rebuilt, would this give rise to all of the above??
Is the point gap of 0.018 correct? What would the dwell be? (is this the same as cam angle of 38 in the old "motors manual")

I personally dont use timing lights just set it as far advanced as i can without spark knock or hard starting.as for the dist.being a tooth off it shouldnt affect where the timing marks align.if its a tooth off you will have to turn the dist.one way or the other to compensate for it so it will still be firing where it was before. if that makes sense

dwell 28 to 30 deg.Or .015 with a filler gauge or a flap on a book of matches.Vacumn line disconnected and pluged so it don't suck air.set timming 2or 3 deg advanced of proper setting .This will compensate for worn fiber timming gears over the years.Setting by ear if fine if you got a good ear.Ha

I enjoyed your reference to the match book flap.
I used the flap many times in the'60s,worked
very well.Thanks for the memories!

Arnie

First, see if the ball/pointer relationship is really top dead center for #1 cylinder. Take the #1 plug out, and probe for the piston with a piece of soft wire while you turn the engine by hand. When the piston reaches TDC, the ball & pointer should be close to aligned. If not, make a paint mark, etc., to indicate TDC on the flywheel when the piston is at the top.
Jerry