I feel so stupid......HELP!

[OrangeMustangGt]

ok, i went out to set my timing on my car. I realized that i have been timing it wrong, i think. I have been clipping the coil wire!!. Am i correct? Also, what exactly pointer on do i go by? there is a hoop, and a line...i dunno which one to use!!! Also, which way do i turn the dist? thanks!!

 

[1105]

You clip the #1 plug wire and go by the line.

 

[OrangeMustangGt]

ok, get this, i did clip the #1 wire...the right front one right? and i used chalk to make a line on teh ballencer, on 10 deg. Then when i timed it, i couldent see anything!!! the line was gone... so i took and clipped the coil wire, and bam there is the line, right about say an inch behind the font of that line, and it was jumping all over the place, about 1/2 inch jump up and down!!. Damn i hope something aint fudgedup. Any tips?

 

[DavidF]

You clip the #1 wire. Remember to unplug the Spout connector. And use the line for reference. As you turn the distributor, you’ll see the mark change. ( at the moment I cant remember which way the timing changes )

 

[OrangeMustangGt]

ahh thanks, i was clipping #5, also i forgot to remove spout

 

[1105]

ahh thanks, i was clipping #5, also i forgot to remove spout

Since you forgot to remove it, dont forget to put it back in

 

[v6v8swap]

Timing

Remember that the rotor is turning counterclockwise when the engine is running. So, you turn the dist counterclockwise to retard the timing and clockwise to advance the timing. I learned this the hard way once when putting in the distributor back in my 351w; I put all the wires on wrong, then couldn't figure out why it wouldn't start!!