The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Timing issue

I apologize for posting another timing related post because there are already so many, but after searching I did not find a solution that I understood.

When I attempt to time my '54 1/2 ton, I reach the limits of adjustment (retarding) of the distributor before I get to the timing ball. My flywheel is marked with a triangle, and then with the letters IUC, the embedded ball, and then the number 2. When I tried to time the engine, I initially saw the triangle, and then turned the distributor CW until the IUC entered the viewing window on the housing. At that point the distributor had reached the limits of its adjustment and I could not retard it any more.

I do not have a lot of experience working on cars, so this could be a very simple issue. I have read, printed out and followed a bunch of advice from these forums already – thanks everyone!

Is there a chance that the distributor is off by a tooth?
Is there another way to change the relative position of the distributor to the adjustment plate?

Here is a synopsis of what I have done so far to troubleshoot this:
The vacuum advance is disconnected and taped over.

I have adjusted the points (.016) and recently bought a dwell meter. The dwell is at 30. The RPMs are at about 800.

I cranked the engine and confirmed that the rotor is pointed toward the correct wire at roughly TDC and that all the wires are connected in the correct order.

Yes there is another way to adjust the dist. There is a clamp with a slotted screw just underneath it. Set the plate in the center & tighten it down. Loosen the screw & set the timing by turning the dist. Tighten the screw. Then you can use the octane selector to tweek it.

Sounds like you're off a tooth. Just pull the dizzy out, and when the rotor is free, turn it slightly CCW and reinsert it. That should get you the adjustment you need.

If your dizzy has the octane selector on it you might be able to get enough out of that to bring your timing back a little.

At 800 RPM, you're starting to get centrifugal advance, which will make it appear you're over-advanced. Drop the idle speed to 500 or less, and use the screw clamp around the distributor housing to set the initial timing with the hold-down bolt centered in the slot. Then tweak the setting up or down a little if necessary for fine-tuning.
Jerry

Thanks everyone. I found the screw clamp under a nice layer of black grime and adjusted the position of the A/R scale. I also adjusted the throttle screw down to about 500 RPM.

I used the 12V battery from my car and in about 1 minute I had the ignition timed.

I reconnected the vacuum advance, made a couple more adjustments, and then took the truck out for its maiden voyage from its new home.

I drove around the block and it ran like a champ. Now I've got a permanent grin on my face and a running 1954 1/2 ton pick-up.

Thanks again. This site rocks!