How do you guys set ignition timing on a new engine?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 532
Likes: 104
How do you guys set ignition timing on a new engine?
Curios about this, with a new engine do you just line up to #1 and then hope for the best and set the ignition timing on the first start up (with wire unplugged), or is there some other way to "rough it in" before the first start up? Or as long as it starts don't worry about it until you have spent a coupl minutes breaking in the cam?
Last time I put a new engine in a car it had points and flat tappets (64 Buick 300 V8) and the accepted procedure back then was don't worry about the ignition on the first start up. Set it based on a test light so the points are just opening then just get it running and up to 2k RPM, check for good oil pressure and run it for about 20 minutes before you do anything.
Last time I put a new engine in a car it had points and flat tappets (64 Buick 300 V8) and the accepted procedure back then was don't worry about the ignition on the first start up. Set it based on a test light so the points are just opening then just get it running and up to 2k RPM, check for good oil pressure and run it for about 20 minutes before you do anything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,944
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
I've done a few now... I roll it to TDC on 1 then drop the distributor in with the rotor pointed towards the #1 cylinder. I mark that with a marker nearby then put the cap on with the #1 terminal so that the rotor is ever so slightly past it. That has resulted in about 4 degrees initial advance on pretty much every vehicle I've done it on. I don't worry about it from there and I leave the distributor slightly loose. In the case it is off, once running you can twist the distributor to get advance closer to where it needs to be by sound.... everyone does it differently but that's what has worked for me.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,380
Likes: 2,744
I've done a few now... I roll it to TDC on 1 then drop the distributor in with the rotor pointed towards the #1 cylinder. I mark that with a marker nearby then put the cap on with the #1 terminal so that the rotor is ever so slightly past it. That has resulted in about 4 degrees initial advance on pretty much every vehicle I've done it on. I don't worry about it from there and I leave the distributor slightly loose. In the case it is off, once running you can twist the distributor to get advance closer to where it needs to be by sound.... everyone does it differently but that's what has worked for me.
on an old refueb, i verify that balancer hasnt slipped first.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
I've had good luck with this technique.
1. Put the engine at roughly where you want the timing set (e.g. 8 degrees BTDC).
2. Put the distributor in and move it to the point that it's too far advanced.
3. With the ignition switched on - and a plug wire in Cyl #1 of the distributor cap, and a plug at the end of the wire (not installed in the engine - but put where you can see it - and with the plug grounded, rotate the distributor (opposite the way the rotor normally turns) - and watch for when it fires the spark plug. Lock the distributor in that spot, and you're ready to fire it up.
1. Put the engine at roughly where you want the timing set (e.g. 8 degrees BTDC).
2. Put the distributor in and move it to the point that it's too far advanced.
3. With the ignition switched on - and a plug wire in Cyl #1 of the distributor cap, and a plug at the end of the wire (not installed in the engine - but put where you can see it - and with the plug grounded, rotate the distributor (opposite the way the rotor normally turns) - and watch for when it fires the spark plug. Lock the distributor in that spot, and you're ready to fire it up.
