Getting closer to starting my project's engine and need advice on timing. My harmonic balancer has a Zero-to-60 scale of hash marks. About where would I be safe, on that scale, having the distributor on #1 when I fire it up? Thanks!
Are you breaking in the cam, too? If so, you probably want it to be around 34 (vacuum disconnected, mechanical advance "all in") at cam break in rpm of around 2500-3000 rpm But initial static timing, yeah, 10 is a good place to start.
Yep 10-12 will get you so close that you may not ever want to change it. What you end up with when you are done depends on the engine but 10 degrees is a good safe place to start.
I think I'd give the rotor a twist with the cap off to see if the centrifugal advance works smooth and returns properly.
Damn, you guys are good. I just had to go through the tdc finding exercise because of mismatched timing pointer and balancer mark. I had forgotten what a good starting on the timing was, however. But I knew I would find the answer here!
I always figured initial timing depended on how much advance was is the distributor but, yea, some where around 10-15 degrees initial will work great to break an engine in with. I usually don't worry a lot about the timing until I run the camshaft in and maybe drive the car a few miles to finish the break in. Then I don't worry so much about wiping a camshaft while the car is idling while I'm messing with timing and tuneup. BTW, here's about 10 degrees on a points style V-8 Chevy. HEI is a little different, I don't have pictures of it saved on the computer.
If you know someone that has a distributor priming tool, its worth preoiling with the tool and a drill.
Years ago we always went to the clinics that a parts store put on for the local mechanics. They did one with Federal Mogul on engine rebuilds. The rep said priming the engine on the stand was worth an extra 20,000 + miles on a rebuild. That tip stuck with me all these years.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OIL-PUMP-PR...ash=item3d152a7a2d:g:P1kAAOSwpIdW8ZkV&vxp=mtr Easy to take an old distributor and make one.
I made one out of an old dizzy when I was 16 years old and still use it, works great and cost around nothing.
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