Timing
When the number one cylinder piston reaches it's highest position, the
engine is considered at the top dead center position. This is marked
on the flywheel as UC (Upper Center). 12 degrees is
approximately four teeth to the right of U/C.
Early manuals stated that your engine should be set to fire at 12
degrees before top dead center. If you are trying to see this
on the flywheel, then the pointer on the housing
will be on the line separating the "1" and the "2" on the flywheel.
Based upon later shop manuals and personal experience from many VCCA
members, a much better timing for early 30's Chevs is 18 degrees BTDC (along with a spark
plug setting of .040). When setting timing at 18 degrees, you need
to advance the timing (by turning the distributor) until the "1|2" mark
just disappears out of the TOP of the timing opening on the bell housing.
When going from 6 to 18 degrees, you are "advancing" the timing.
This is accomplished when you turn the distributor counter-clockwise. This
is the same as pushing in on the Spark control on the dashboard.
Each time the car is started, hot or cold, the spark knob
on the instrument panel should be pulled out to retard the spark making
the car easier to start.
CONCLUSION: Time
it at 12 degrees advanced (noting the the mark on the flywheel), with
the spark knob pushed all of the way in. After you get the car
running, then bump the timing to 18 degrees, and make sure that your AC
spark plugs are gapped to .040". |