8BA timing mark

[Flathead Fever]

I was a mechanic for 30-years (not recommended). If you can't see the timing marks with the light, chances are the plug wires are placed wrongly on the cap, or the distributer is installed wrong. I would start from the beginning, disconnect the vacuum line from the vacuum advance and plug it. Pull the #1 plug and crank it until it blows compression out of it, then line up the timing marks on the #1 compression stroke and see that the rotor is pointing at #1 on the cap. Check the firing order, flatheads are not numbered like some other engines. Look up the firing order and make sure number #1 is where it's supposed to be and the rest follow in the correct FLATHEAD firing order. Some engines are 1234 down one side and 5678 down the other. Other engines are 1357 down one side and 2468 down the other. Some people automatically think they know firing orders, flatheads are different. Look up the correct order for a flathead, find #1 and start there. Make sure you know the direction that the distributor rotates and then install the wires one at a time in the correct firing order. I had a stroke so every time I answer a question, I have to question myself, one of my wires burned out, but I'm pretty sure I'm correct???

If anybody buys a timing light, make sure it is an "adjustable" one. Then if have one timing mark like a flathead, has you can still read your maximum advance using the adjustable light. You can't do this with a standard timing light.

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by Flathead Fever

I was a mechanic for 30-years (not recommended). If you can't see the timing marks with the light, chances are the plug wires are placed wrongly on the cap, or the distributer is installed wrong. I would start from the beginning, disconnect the vacuum line from the vacuum
If anybody buys a timing light, make sure it is an "adjustable" one. Then if have one timing mark like a flathead, has you can still read your maximum advance using the adjustable light. You can't do this with a standard timing light.

Thanks for the reply. I don't know if this light is standard or adjustble but will check. I got all the tune up specs from the Van Pelt site re: firing order and cylinder numbers. I think the next step might be to remove spark plug #1 and determine true top dead centre to see how it relates to the pointer and mark on the pulley.