Timing Question from newbie

[66pink]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the help with her not starting, so like I said before I am kinda new at this whole car thing so every thing I come across is new to me. I have searched on here for timing related questions but still cant find what I am looking for so here it go's........ My wife recently purchased a timing gun for me so I can get her car running, well after i changed out all the plugs, points and condensor with my previous problem, i hooked up my timing light and from what i can tell the tick on the pulley and the timing marks seem to be illuminated at the mark that says TDC (im guessing thats 0)> Is this correct because I seem to see all the posts and none say 0? BTW I have finished the interior and will be posting pics soon as well as ugly exterior, but paint is about to be applied for summertime enjoyment.
Thanks,
Ryan

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Back Ryan:

I missed your first post, so I don't know what you are working with. But, be sure to disconnect the vacuum from the carb to the distributor when checking and setting the initial advance. Be sure to plug the vacuum line or you'll create a vacuum leak for the carb.

Loosen the hold down bolt that locks the distributor in place. Loosen it just enough to stiffly rotate the distributor. The engine should be thoroughly warmed up before you start to set the initial advance.

Typically, for 60's engines, a standard trans engine calls for about 6 degrees of initial advance, while an engine with an auto trans requires 12 degrees.

If you're at zero degrees advance now and you add advance, the engine will likely increase in rpm. When it does, reset the idle speed to specs, 500 to 600 rpms for a manual trans and 700 to 750 for an auto. Now recheck the initial setting. When you have all right, retighten the lock down bolt at the base of the distributor and recheck the advance setting to verify.

Be sure to reconnect the vacuum line from the carb for vacuum advance.

Adios, David

 

[66 Fastback]

Yes, the zero "0" represents TDC or Top Dead Center. When folks speak of setting the timing in degrees, it is assumed to be in degrees BTDC or Before Top Dead Center. So David's reference of 6 or 12 degrees is before top dead center. When the engine is running and the distributor loosened as David described. Go ahead and rotate the distributor a bit CW & CCW while you are aiming the timing light at the timing mark. You will see the mark on the pulley "Shift" in relation to the timing scale tab. Then set the timing as David describes. Playing with it a bit will let give you a visual impression of how much the timing can change and what effect it can have on the idle.
Doug