TIming Big Block
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
knowing WHAT big block you have would help.
do you have the factory timing specs on your motor?
do you need help with what the specs are or just the process of how to do it?
The FIRST step is to get the distributor back in correctly:
Make sure the motor is at TDC on the #1 cylinder and the index line on the balancer is lined up with the "0" mark on the index plate.
Now this could be on either the compression or exhaust stroke. it's needs to line up on the compression stroke. The easiest way is to remove the valve cover on the driver side and as you either bump the motor over carefully with the starter or turning it with a big rachet look for when both rockers on the #1 cylinder are "down" and the index line on the balancer is lined up with the "0" mark on the index plate. Once it is you are TDC on #1.
Now, drop in the distributor and see where the rotor is pointing. You need to raise the distributor up a little and turn the rotor so that when the distributor falls back down into the motor the rotor is pointing to the #1 plug position on the distributor cap. The easiest way is to plave the cap on the distributor, locate the #1 plug position and with a marker of piece of tape mark the metal nousing of the distibutor so you know where the #1 plug postion is with the cap off.
Once you have the motor at TDC and the distributor installed with the rotor poiting to the 31 plug position you should be close enough with your timing to at least start the car so you can set the final timing with your timing light.
If this is your first time doing this, you should go to my website to the tech articles page and download two tech papers.
my website is here: http://10.0.1.5/page1/page65/page65.html
the two tech papers are called:
Timing101article.pdf
MAPPING ADVANCE.pdf
these two papers will thorough;y explaing pretty much everything you need to know about timing and setting your timing and take you through it step by step.
Another excellent paper to download is :
Lars Timing.pdf
do you have the factory timing specs on your motor?
do you need help with what the specs are or just the process of how to do it?
The FIRST step is to get the distributor back in correctly:
Make sure the motor is at TDC on the #1 cylinder and the index line on the balancer is lined up with the "0" mark on the index plate.
Now this could be on either the compression or exhaust stroke. it's needs to line up on the compression stroke. The easiest way is to remove the valve cover on the driver side and as you either bump the motor over carefully with the starter or turning it with a big rachet look for when both rockers on the #1 cylinder are "down" and the index line on the balancer is lined up with the "0" mark on the index plate. Once it is you are TDC on #1.
Now, drop in the distributor and see where the rotor is pointing. You need to raise the distributor up a little and turn the rotor so that when the distributor falls back down into the motor the rotor is pointing to the #1 plug position on the distributor cap. The easiest way is to plave the cap on the distributor, locate the #1 plug position and with a marker of piece of tape mark the metal nousing of the distibutor so you know where the #1 plug postion is with the cap off.
Once you have the motor at TDC and the distributor installed with the rotor poiting to the 31 plug position you should be close enough with your timing to at least start the car so you can set the final timing with your timing light.
If this is your first time doing this, you should go to my website to the tech articles page and download two tech papers.
my website is here: http://10.0.1.5/page1/page65/page65.html
the two tech papers are called:
Timing101article.pdf
MAPPING ADVANCE.pdf
these two papers will thorough;y explaing pretty much everything you need to know about timing and setting your timing and take you through it step by step.
Another excellent paper to download is :
Lars Timing.pdf
Last edited by BarryK; Jun 6, 2006 at 06:14 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Here's a variation on the above:
1) Rotate the crank by hand until the harmonic timing indicator is dialed in at 6-8 degrees advanced. Make sure the compression stroke was just complete (or more accurately, "almost" completed). If you're not sure, you'll have to pull the driver's side valve cover and watch for the closing of the number one intake valve.
2) Pull the number one plug wire off the spark plug. Then install an old (but working) spark plug in the number one wire boot.
3) Make sure your rotor in the distributor is pointed toward the number one plug wire, or at least close.
4) Loosen the distributor tie down bolt
5) Turn the ignition key to the 'on' position.
6) Ground the old spark plug to engine somewhere,..away from the carb (obviously)
7) Rotate the distributor back and forth in your other hand while you look for a spark from the grounded spark plug. You're trying to pass the number one terminal on the distributor cap past the rotor tip to locate it's positon.
8) Position and maintain the distributor in the position where the spark is achieved
9) Turn the ignition key to 'off' (it shouldn't stay in the 'on' position for longer than a minute, but this method takes about 20 seconds).
10) Tighten the distributor tie down bolt and re-attach the number one plug wire to the plug.
Assuming the fuel supply is good to go, she'll fire right up,.. which is good for engine break-in.
Good luck!
1) Rotate the crank by hand until the harmonic timing indicator is dialed in at 6-8 degrees advanced. Make sure the compression stroke was just complete (or more accurately, "almost" completed). If you're not sure, you'll have to pull the driver's side valve cover and watch for the closing of the number one intake valve.
2) Pull the number one plug wire off the spark plug. Then install an old (but working) spark plug in the number one wire boot.
3) Make sure your rotor in the distributor is pointed toward the number one plug wire, or at least close.
4) Loosen the distributor tie down bolt
5) Turn the ignition key to the 'on' position.
6) Ground the old spark plug to engine somewhere,..away from the carb (obviously)
7) Rotate the distributor back and forth in your other hand while you look for a spark from the grounded spark plug. You're trying to pass the number one terminal on the distributor cap past the rotor tip to locate it's positon.
8) Position and maintain the distributor in the position where the spark is achieved
9) Turn the ignition key to 'off' (it shouldn't stay in the 'on' position for longer than a minute, but this method takes about 20 seconds).
10) Tighten the distributor tie down bolt and re-attach the number one plug wire to the plug.
Assuming the fuel supply is good to go, she'll fire right up,.. which is good for engine break-in.
Good luck!
