timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

I need to advance the timing on my distributor of my 39 V8 flathead. Do I drive the adjustment up or down? Thanks much!

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

For those that don't know, up is advance, down is retard!

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

The distributor turns counterclockwise, so up (counterclockwise) is retard, down is advance. This would be for the 42 to 48 distributors. The early distributors would be adjusted as gulfoil has said because the adjustment is on the opposite sides of the distributor.

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

I think Gulfoil has it correct...

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

Using Jack's reasoning, I tend to agree with him. (That is if this adjustment fixture is on the right side of the distributor.) Are we having a poll here?

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

The adjustment is on the right side. No poll needed.

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

10/4 Jack. I didn't want to get up off the couch and go look at a distributor.

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

Right or left can get confusing as to the viewer's perspective. It is on the driver's side and up is advance. Each mark is 2 degrees. The next question is how much to advance.


You can do it by ear. Start at 2 degrees retarded to establish a sonic baseline. That is take the car out and floor it in second gear. Remember that sound. Pull over and adjust the advance one notch (up), 2 degrees, and repeat the second gear throttle burst. Keep advancing in 2 degree increments until that sound includes an added rattle sound. Like shaking a can with some gravel in it. The back off 2 degrees and know that you have it set right for all of the conditions that affect optimum timing. Like temperature, altitude, mixture, and gasoline quality.

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

The three bolt helmet type distributors, up is advance. The later two bolt ones (42-48) are opposite. Keep in mind the breaker plate is not precision machined and many times adjusting timing changes the dwell seperation.

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

Left and right of a motor vehicle. It has nothing to do with “viewers perspective” the Right side of a vehicle has never changed the left side has never changed the inside is always the inside and likewise outside. What does change is “Drivers Side” or “Passenger Side “. This is a bad way to reference as there are left and right hand drive vehicles as we all know. We have many members on The Barn with some having LHD vehicles and others with RHD. Some are fortunate to have both. It is not “Rocket Science “ just the way it’s always been.

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

Bubba would be having fun with this! IMHO, when the breaker plate is rotated counter to lobe rotation, the points open sooner and spark is advanced.

Re: timing adjustment on exterior of distributor
 

We say left and right when viewed from the driver's seat, but rotation is as referenced looking from the front.