Timing rookie
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 420
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Timing rookie
Ok so I'm doing more and more of my own work thanks to you guys here that help out with answers maybe one day I can help someone lol but I am doing my timing or checking the timing on my 74 l82 I bought a cheap timing light and have been reading lots of stuff here just searching the forum. I get the initial timing thing but I'm more interested in setting my total timing now I've been reading a good number is 36. But I didn't buy a dial back timing light. Can I still set the total timing with a basic light ? If so the tab on the timing cover reads bdst 14 and I believe 8 after the 0. So how can I be sure when I get 36
Or should I find my tdc first mark it then move the tab to measure the timing with the gun
Or should I find my tdc first mark it then move the tab to measure the timing with the gun
Last edited by redwhitekat; May 10, 2013 at 09:07 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Stop by your local parts store and get a timing tape for whatever diameter balancer you have. Clean the balancer, stick it on (corresponding the zero on the tape and the mark on the balancer). Use the zero mark on the existing timing tab and go for it. You can also measure the distance between the marks on the tab and calculate how far between 0 and 36, transfer that to the balancer and make another mark.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Austin Tx
Take a string and cut it off when it wraps around the balancer. Cut it in half 3 times. That will be 45 degrees. Use the timing gauge to mark that down an additional 9 degrees. Then use the string to make a 36 degree mark on the balancer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
TDC "should" be aligned with the mark on the balancer- not necessarily the tab, but again, it "should" be close enough. There is probably a way to confirm the TDC on both the tab and the balancer, but without pulling the left cylinder head I can't think of how. For most purposes, just the assumption the marks are correct will be close enough.
Le Mans Master
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Scott
Melting Slicks
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From: Hinckley OH
Le Mans Master
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Scott
Last edited by scottyp99; May 11, 2013 at 12:20 PM.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Melting Slicks
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From: Chapel Hill NC
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For years I used a "cheap" timing light. Finally broke down and bought a dial back and been kicking myself for not getting one sooner. If you can afford it you will not regret it and you will have it forever.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 420
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Thanks for the tips my findings were it was set to 8 degrees I advanced it to 12 then did my total timing to 38 Went for a drive didn't hear any knocking or any unusual sounds hooked up my vaccum went for another drive still same adjusted my idle to 800 rpm. Engine seems more responsive also if you guys remember my other post I was getting at idle when I would hit the gas a fuel back fire out of the carb that seems to be gone now
Car was runing really good before I had the back fire I pushed it pretty hard one week and I started getting the back fire maybe the distributor skipped something not sure but something did change
For now it's runing ok.
Car was runing really good before I had the back fire I pushed it pretty hard one week and I started getting the back fire maybe the distributor skipped something not sure but something did change
For now it's runing ok.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Thanks for the tips my findings were it was set to 8 degrees I advanced it to 12 then did my total timing to 38 Went for a drive didn't hear any knocking or any unusual sounds hooked up my vaccum went for another drive still same adjusted my idle to 800 rpm. Engine seems more responsive also if you guys remember my other post I was getting at idle when I would hit the gas a fuel back fire out of the carb that seems to be gone now
Car was runing really good before I had the back fire I pushed it pretty hard one week and I started getting the back fire maybe the distributor skipped something not sure but something did change
For now it's runing ok.
Car was runing really good before I had the back fire I pushed it pretty hard one week and I started getting the back fire maybe the distributor skipped something not sure but something did change
For now it's runing ok.
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Alright! Now you have the car running well enough to be fun to drive, right? If you really want to get it tuned well, go to the top of the tech/performance page, where the stickies are, and click on Consolidated FAQ (it's the bottom one) then click on Info on Timing. The article, posts, and links therein will give you all the info you need to become an ignition timing tuning phenomenon! Good luck,
Scott
Scott
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 420
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Those are the papers I read and gave me the confidence to go ahead
Anyone know the original location of the timing tab ?? Mine is on the drivers side around the 2 o'clock position. Which makes it a pita to check total timing if they had out it or set it up on the passenger side there's a lot more viewing area on the balancer
Anyone know the original location of the timing tab ?? Mine is on the drivers side around the 2 o'clock position. Which makes it a pita to check total timing if they had out it or set it up on the passenger side there's a lot more viewing area on the balancer