What am I missing

[fredski53]

Just got thr Vicki's engine back from shop after major rebuild. Put it in last night. The shop assured me they had the timing set to 1 TDC. Dropped in the distributor and the rotor lines up with 4 contact on cap. Am I missing something? I didn't want to take the timing pin and check for TDC, because they said it's already set to TDC. Any help would be appreciated!

[marc hildebrant]

You need to set the timing yourself, as that picture shows that the timing is wrong. Do you feel comfortable timing the engine yourself ?

Marc

[Y-Blockhead]

Fred you need to loosen the cam screw and turn the cam to #1. Looks like the cam is set 180° out (assuming the engine is a TDC #1, not TDC #4). Set it so the points just start to open with the rotor pointing to #1. . Basically follow the normal timing procedure.

[denniskliesen]

Check with the timing pin. Your crank might need to be rotated 180. You won't know for sure until you verify the pin will drop in the dimple of the cam gear.

[Synchro909]

They have set it 180 degrees out at the camshaft. (1 complete turn of the crankshaft)
Do you have Les Andrews' red book or any other describing how to set the ignition timing? They will describe how to do it properly. Alternatively, do a search on this forum. This matter comes up often.
I'm sure it won't be long before someone wants to demonstrate their knowledge by giving a dissertation on how to do it.

[Synchro909]

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Wow, Y-Block, Dennis and Marc were quicker than I on the keyboard but we are all saying the same thing.

[Sunnybrook Farm]

You can take number 1 plug out and look in with a flash light to verify that the piston is up and the valves are down just to be sure. Then if the timing pin will drop in the depression while rocking the car back and forward a little you will know if they put the camshaft in correctly. If these two things match then you can always just use the timing pin.
Assuming that it is right you could just move the cam to point to number 1 and see if it starts.

[fredski53]

I forgot to mention the car has FS ignition, no points. Never timed one before.

[fredski53]

No points FS ignition.

[fredski53]

I forgot to mention the car has FS ignition, no points. Never timed one before.

[1955cj5]

You should be able to remove the timing pin and with a mirror and flashlight, you can see the dimple in the the cam gear...

then verify TDC visually by removing the #1 spark plug and looking with a flashlight as mentioned above.

[mike657894]

180 out. and sharpen your timing pin. it makes a world of difference.

[CT Jack]

For timing the FS ignition unit you should follow the same procedure for setting the rotor cam as everyone is advising. Fully retard the spart lever on the steering column. The rotor turns counterclockwise. Insert the timing pin and find piston #1 TDC (pin falls in dimple). Now rotate the distributor cam so the left edge of the rotor tab is aligned with the right edge of the #1 distrubtor cap contact. Lock the cam screw in place, install rotor, install the distributor cap, and get set to start the engine. Advance the spark lever to up position and start engine. If you need to make a small adjustment to fine tune the timing all you need to do is remove the distributor cap place a small piece of masking tape on disrbutor cover opposite the rotor tab to use as a reference. If you need to make slight adjustments mark the location of the rotor tab on the tape. Now remove the rotor and loosen the cam screw and make a small adjustment. Tighten cam and install the rotor and notice the change in position (CCW = advance, CW = retard). Once you have fine tuned the timing there should be no need to make any further adjustments. Only point systems need to be periodically adjusted.

[Synchro909]

Fredski, Does your FS distributor have automatic advance built in and what compression ratio are you running? I have a 5.5:1 head and found the auto advance was too much so I drove it and tried to induce pre ignition. When I did, I then retarded it VERY slightly and drove again till I couldn't get a ping out of it and left it there.
All of the advice above is good but there are many things that come into play when doing things like this. It might take a little "finessing" but I'm sure you will get there in the end and be very happy with it.

[fredski53]

I want to thank you all for the very good information! I forgot about loosening the distributor cam. The FS ignition doesn't have the automatic advance. Engine has Snyders high compression head.

[[email protected]]

The rotor is in the correct position for top dead center on piston #1


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[700rpm]

I would put rags or plugs in those plug holes before something gets dropped in there.

[mike657894]

[[email protected]]

O.K, I was looking at it wrong. Crank it around to #1, take out the timing pin and reverse it. Gently move the fan blade back and forth until while pushing on the end if the timing pin, when you feel the pin go in the dimple, stop. You will be at top dead center.


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[larrys40]

Set the timing per the service bulletins or whatever the FS instruction say ( I don't install FS but prefer to stick with original distributors).

with all due restpect to John do NOT use the fan to rotate the engine. You will torque or bend the fan and you have a new engine that is tight and it won't move anyway.

Make sure you account for backlash in distributor shafts when setting.
Larry Shepard