Timing questions

[AZDutch]

There are lots of marks and nicks on the crank pulley closest to the timing plate, and I can't figure out which mark I'm supposed to be looking at for setting the timing. They all just look like nicks in the metal, none like it was put there on purpose. What does the proper mark look like?

Also, what are the numbers on the timing plate? It looks like 14, 10, 8, 6, TDC but I can't tell for sure. I assume the numbers are all before TDC, right?

I was fooling with the timing today and I can advance it so much it stalls, but I can't make it ping. I'm hoping the timing is set way off and that is why it gets such horrible mileage and makes so little power, but it ran very smoothly when I started. I checked the advance and it does seem to work - the marks on the pulley advance when I rev the engine.

Any thoughts on this? It's for a '67 Fairlane with a 200.

 

[JackFish]

Check for top dead center by taking the plug(s) out and rotating the engine by hand, or bump it over with a remote starter.
Put your finger over #1 plug hole. You'll get a puff of air on the compression stroke.
Then you'll at least be in the ball park to locate the mark that's closest to the indicator.
Put a dab of white paint or something on it when you find it. If there is no mark it's possible the balancer has slipped.

 

[AZDutch]

What does the mark look like? Is it a bump, notch, or something different?

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy AZDutch:

The mark is a notch. You would be wise to check the accuracy of the TDC notch. To do that you should establish the compression stroke, then remove all spark plugs and gentle rotate the engine until you see the #1 piston coming to the top of the cylinder. Stick a dowel stick or Phillips screwdriver into the cylinder and gentle snug the piston up against the dowel or Phillips stopper. Put a light mark on the pulley at the TDC indicator. Now rotate the engine the other direction so that the piston comes up to the top from the other direction. Gently snug it against the stopper and put a tempory mark at that spot. Your true TDC is exactly half way between your 1st and 2nd marks. The timing mark Notch should be very close to that position. If it is not, it is likely that the outer ring has slipped on the hub. You will need to establish a new mark, or make your original mark easily visible with a dab of durable paint, or you'll need to go through this whole process everytime you time. We keep a piece of chalk handy to highlight the notch.

Be sure to disconnect and plug the vacuum advance line at the distributor before setting the initial advance. Be sure to hook it up again after setting. A golf tee make a handy plug.

IF you have an auto trans best idle/vacuum/power/mileage will be at 8 - 10 degrees initial. With a manual trans 10 to 14, depending on your elevation and other tune issues.

Let us know how it comes out.

Adios, David

 

[AZDutch]

Thanks for the input. I completely forgot about removing the vacuum advance to set initial timing. On my old Chrysler, doing that made no difference so I got out of the habit. I will try that.

I will check for TDC manually if plugging the advance doesn't make the timing mark obvious.