timing question

hey to everybody,specialy the newbies, big welcome to VV,

i have a little problem to time my engine, my mark on the front pulley doesnt reach the mark on the tab, even at maximum rotation(clockwise) of the distributor, i still have the point distributor,the electronic one is in the box , but still too busy to install it, is it because the points is badly ajusted? the engine run nicely(700 idling) but the exhaust sounds uneven i would say,

and i think i have also a bad depression advance, anyone knows how to test this thing, i pinch the hose going to the distributor and there's no diference in the engine rpm,pull it off the carb, no difference, .....any input will be apreciated

i've been busy doing my camper conversion lately,turn out nice and will post some picts next..thanks...corrosive

That's a slant6 right?

If it is, the first thing you need to do is bring the #1 cyl on top dead center. I used a coat hanger wire in the plug hole and turned the engine by hand until the piston was at it's highest point. Look to see where the make is on the balancer. I've had 3 different slants in the last year and all 3 had spun balancers (if it's spun you'll never get it right) Once you have the piston to the top, make your own mark on the balancer and time it off that mark.

If you go through that you might as well install the elec dist. I did the HEI swap on mine also, that is really the way to go. Mine had the elec dist in it when i bought the van and the HEI was much better, so i would think the points need to go!!

after the vacation the points will go, thats for shur,

i think that the balancer is not the original one, will do as you guys said for finding real tdc, and for the vacum advance is that the only way of testing it with an adjustable timing ligh?

Everyone her is giving great advice!! I will add= when locating TDC of #1 Piston -if you are going to mark/remark the crank dampner?? make sure you take into effect the amount of Degrees that the piston will stay up at TDC!! Then split the difference and thats your true TDC mark. Best done with the proper TDC location tools. Ill also add =if the tdc mark doesnt come up to the same place on your present dampner??? its bad & you should get another anyway.Happy Vannin. The current distributor also isnt in the proper place ( spark plug wires) as it should allow enougn space for proper movement to adjust . Just drop in the electronic .Go from there .

i just located the tdc, and the mark on the balancer looks ok, here's a pict, but the distributor is i thing wrong, no play to ajust, should i remove it and replace it?? how come i have tree marks on my balancer??this one looks the right tdc,but look like the rotor just passed the # 1 piston .... the green tape is the #1 piston...just love your avatar twinpilote..

yes the engine is newer (1979 super six), i did found the tdc, but i removed the distributor and turn the rotor counterclockwise to engage into a diferent teeth so i could have more play to ajust, after a few try to start it started and when i went for timing the mark was in the range to be ajusted, now it does run nice and i had to reduce the idle,but it doesnt look natural, mayby i should have take another teeth, i'll see if the vac advance works properly anyway cant do nothing right now going on a trip tomrrow..here a pict ..i'll bring the electronic distrbutor with me (nevr know)...thanks

Here is a crappy picture of my old engine, it was a '78 and you can see the advance is close to the same spot.



As long as you know where the mark is on the balancer and it lines up with the timing tab, with the piston on top you'll be fine.

I have my timing set at 30* total advanced. It doesn't matter where the vac advance is located, it could be near the fuel pump or near the oil filter, 30* is 30*. You can move the wires on the cap or move the dist a tooth but it ends up the same.

Dist is fine where it is.
To test vacuum advance, remove the hose from the intake side, not the dist. side. Find a manifold vacuum source. This means at idle you have vacuum. Start the engine and check the timing. Write down what it is and what the RPM is. Connect the vacuum advance hose to the manifold vacuum source. The idle speed should go up and the timing should advance. If it doesn't, the advance unit is bad.

Sounds and looks like you're on the right track amigo. If you're still running a points Dist, consider atleast checking the dwell while you're already in there. Have a fun safe trip! -GothY-