The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay timing using the flywheel

My question is how do you set the timing using the flywheel. i hear you need to line up a type of ball with a small window mark next to the starter. how is this done? i need info on this, thanks

It isn't really any different that timing off the balancer. The window is just above the starter, there's a pointer in the window. When the ball embedded in the flywheel lines up with the pointer, that's TDC #1 cylinder.

So at Top Dead Center thats where there needs to be the spark for cylinder 1? I made a mistake because i removed the dist. without making where the rotor pointed, now everything is screwed up.

The ball aligns with the pointer twice, once when the #1 cylinder is in firing position, and again when #6 is ready to fire. You need to be sure and pick the right cylinder to align the distributor with. Put your thumb over the #1 spark plug hole, and bump the starter over until you feel a puff of compression. Then turn the engine over slowly until you see the pointer & ball align, and drop the disttibutor in with the rotor pointing toward the #1 plug wire. With the ball & pointer aligned, turn the distributor housing counterclockwise until the points just barely open and lock it down in that position. The timing should be close enough to start the engine. Warm it up and do a final timing check. BTW, the ball is not TDC, it's about 5 degrees before TDC, where the timing is supposed to be set.
Jerry

CenCal53

You can also use a dab of white out on the ball that is embedded on the flywheel. Makes it a little easier for the eye to pick it up.

Just a suggestion.

Hope this helps.

I appreciate all the help, i have my engine running now

"I love it when a plan comes together!"

BTW- - - -I used to race Northern California Sportsman dirt track cars on a 1/4 mile track in Watsonville, back in the late 1970's!
Jerry