How to set your ignition timing correctly

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Thu May 18, 06 10:05 pm

HI Miles
No 1 is different on a small block anyway, the pump drive can only go in about 4 positions and only one is right and mine is not on the c.line.
I am changing the heads soon, so i'll take a pic, also i will see what my other motor is when i finish putting it together.
I'm no expert and i most definitely dont have all the answers.
Mick

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Thu May 18, 06 10:10 pm

How do you get the drive can only go in a few positions? it can go in any tooth combo, sometimes the drive is reluctant to engage the pump that is the worst bit.

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Thu May 18, 06 10:21 pm

I've found that when i twist the drive, it turns quite a lot before it slots in again.

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Thu May 18, 06 10:23 pm

Onto the cam gear?ofcourse it does, if it goes to far, back it up a tooth!

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Thu May 18, 06 10:45 pm

As Alex says. Thats what i did. Worked fine, dont forget, the timing gears dicatate where the dizzy drive can slot in. in my case that geve me two options(following Daves pic) and one was closer to No 1 than the other and thats how it worked for me!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri May 19, 06 11:17 am

I was getting what turned into a migrain attack later that night Steve. I get irritated easy at those times. Sorry.

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Fri May 19, 06 8:37 pm

Surely that is altering the cam timing, i have never touched the timing gears on this motor. The last person that did was Geoff Hauser, to my knowledge. I wish i had more info on the motor, i'm not even sure what the cam specs are.
Mick

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri May 19, 06 8:49 pm

No Mick. Moving the dizzy/oil pump drive is not altering the cam timing. Lift the dizzy drive gear up and rotate it so that when seated it is lined up as described and as shown in the photo of my engine. Then the dizzy will point where it should.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri May 19, 06 8:51 pm

MilesnMiles wrote:dont forget, the timing gears dicatate where the dizzy drive can slot in.

NO!

The dizzy drive can slot in in any position you like. It has nothing to do with cam timing or cam gears or anything.

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Fri May 19, 06 10:13 pm

<--- Dave !

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Fri May 19, 06 10:36 pm

I was answering Miles's point about altering the timing gears Dave, i know that twisting the distributor does'nt alter the cam timing, just the ignition timing, as regards moving it, it's running fine so it can stay where it is.
I think i've said as much as i'm going to on this, the only reason i mentioned it in the first place is because i was curious but thanks for the replys
I'm taking the car to York next week, to test and tune it if it's dry
Mick

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat May 20, 06 9:03 am

Mick wrote:I was answering Miles's point about altering the timing gears Dave,

I don't think he was talking about altering the timing gears and he was talking poop anyway (sorry Miles) although I am not sure because none of it was making much sense to me. This whole thing has confused the hell out of me. mainly because i thought it was a simple process and I had described it well.

You simply fit the drive gear as illustrated and then you turn the dizzy housing slightly until the rotor points to a cap post. Just like the photos of my own engine I showed you. It took me 30 seconds to do that standing in my dressing gown before breakfast. I can't make it more simple than i have.

I don't understand what your problem is and you can't articulate what your problem is. If you could explain why you cannot just do as described i could advise you. I personally don't think there is any problem with the engine or distributor.

I think i've said as much as i'm going to on this,

Well thank Christ for that.

All I have laid out is the correct way to set up your timing from scratch. Every mopar that left the factory was set up this way. I don't give a monkeys if you can or want to follow simple instructions. I am not saying you HAVE to follow this method. I'm not forcing you.

Some people have found it very helpful though. Some other people just can't be helped.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Sat May 20, 06 10:04 am

Sorry Dave, it was lost in translation. I'm very much aware that the dizzy doesnt affect (effect?) the timing. after all, I set up my own timing gear camshaft installation etc..I simply meant that as I was following Daves original guide pictures that my dizzy didnt line up EXACTLY as in the supplied diagram. I'm not talking crap sometimes it just comes out in print the wrong way which I concede can be misleading.
I've learned more about these damn cars than I could possibly have wished too (due to wanting to improve it!) and much of that has been thanks to MMA members including yerslef