Setting Timing on a New Unknown Engine

Looked around and found a few tidbits but no real answer to my question about how to set timing on a brand new engine.

Since a bunch of the stuff we mess with have different cams,rocker ratios,etc the factory setting are out the window.

What I do is once the engine fires up and has run for a twenty minute break in, I plug the vac*** advance and then get the vac*** to its highest point and then drop it back 1".

I"ll then call that the initial setting.Then work my way thru the vac*** advance.

While that usually works for me-what system do others decide upon? I should add that I"m a premium gas guy.

Oldmics

 

OK since you asked. A lot of variables. Do you know what the initial timing should be, 4 degrees BTDC, 6, 8, etc. Rotate the crankshaft in the correct direction of rotation onto the compression stroke coming up toward TDC. Stop at the correct timing degree mark. Insert the distributor with the the rotor pointing towards the cap contact that corresponds to number one cylinder. Put the dist. cap on and energize the ignition, (key on, do not energize the starter or you will have to go back and find the timing mark). Pull the number one spark plug wire and hold it away from the plug or find a suitable ground source that when you rotate the distributor it will make contact with ground and make an audible pop sound. go back and forth with the dist and tighten the dist. at the point that it just makes the pop sound. Start it. In my experience you will be within one degree of your appropriate initial timing. Good enough to break in the cam. After cam break in go ahead and check initial, vacuum, and centrifugal advance and adjust idle speed and mixture.

Just the way my old man taught me and have used it for more than 45 years. You sound as if you have done this before so if I made it too rudimentary I apologize. It was not meant to insult your experience level, it's just easier to fully explain than half explain.

Mike.

 

Oops, after posting my previous response I went back and read your original post. You were asking an entirely different question. I can only ***ume that your question would be best addressed on a dyno.

Mike.