How to set the timing without a timing light

Thanks for the reply Bill. Can you clairify some points

Let me outline what you've said below.

1. Find #1 spark plug wire on Distributor.
2. Pull cap and rotate crank forward until rotor is pointing to #1.

Question: how do I rotate crank by hand?

1. Zero in on the 8 degree mark on the balancer.

Question: How do I locate the 8 degree mark on the balancer?

1. Loosen distributor body.
2. Turn on Ignition (turn key on just before cranking?)
3. Back off distributor by turning it clockwise.
4. Then slowly turn it counter-clockwise (pull forward?) until point separate and spark with a snap.
5. Tighten down distributor.

Do I have this correct? Can you fill in the questions on how to find the 8 degree mark on the balancer and what does mean to zero in on the 8 degree mark?

Also, I have a timing light but not sure it's working. I tested it by putting it on the battery without the spark plug part attached but no light came out. Should the light light up without being attached to the spark plug?

Thanks again,

Bill

Hi Bill, I use the start solenoid to crank the engine, just jump a hot wire or screwdriver across form the battery cable to where the ignition switch starter position wire would make contact. Then use a ratchet on the front pulley bolt or just pull her through with fix fan if you have. You'll easily find the timing marks on the front balancer and pointer. Maybe high light them with chalk. I think you have it right, you'll be watching the ignition "points" to open and it's condenser discharge spark signifying the exact moment of spark plug fire. God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O mailto: snipped-for-privacy@aol.com

1. Disconnect and plug vacuum advance hose.

1. Remove No.1 spark plug.

2. Hold finger over spark plug hole.

1. Turn engine over by hand in normal rotation direction .

2. When you feel pressure building up at spark plug hole stop.

1. Look at damper pulley and advance indicator, keep turning about 5 degrees after TDC (retarded or -).

2. Turn distibutor until rotor is lined up with #1 plug wire. lightly snug distributor lock bolt.

1. Engine should start, loosen dist. lock bolt enough to turn distributor, turn dist. a small amount either way until engine smooths out, tighten lock bolt, attach vacuum advance hose.

That should get you in the ball park.

Joe

Thanks again Bill.

I'm still not quite clear how the timing marks corralate with the number 1 on the distributor.

So I turn the crank till the rotor is pointing to the #1 but then what do I do with the 8 degree mark on the balancer? How does that come into play? Do I turn the crank again till the 8 degree mark on the balancer is lined up with the pointer?

Thanks,

Bill

The timing mark indicate the number of degrees before top dead centre that the crankshaft has to travel through after the distributor rotor has made contact with the no 1 spark plug lead and has fired the spark plug. The time that the distributor fires the spark plug can be altered a bit by turning the distributor body.

Turn the crank with a spanner looking at the distributor and stop when then the distributor points close and the rotor is pointing at the number 1 cylinder lead. Then, rotate the crankshaft so it points at 8 degrees btdc. Now rotate the distributor body until the points are closing and the rotor is pointing at number 1 cylinder lead. Repeat until you get it right.

Remember you have a Otto cycle engine - look at the valves to make sure you are on the correct stroke !

Dave Milne, Scotland '99 TJ 4.0 Sahara

: > > Thanks for the reply Bill. Can you clairify some points : > >

: > > Let me outline what you've said below. : > >

: > > 1. Find #1 spark plug wire on Distributor. : > > 2. Pull cap and rotate crank forward until rotor is pointing to #1. : > >

: > > Question: how do I rotate crank by hand? : > >

: > > 3. Zero in on the 8 degree mark on the balancer. : > >

: > > Question: How do I locate the 8 degree mark on the balancer? : > >

: > > 4. Loosen distributor body. : > > 5. Turn on Ignition (turn key on just before cranking?) : > > 6. Back off distributor by turning it clockwise. : > > 7. Then slowly turn it counter-clockwise (pull forward?) until point : > > separate and spark with a snap. : > > 8. Tighten down distributor. : > >

: > > Do I have this correct? Can you fill in the questions on how to find : the 8 : > > degree mark on the balancer and what does mean to zero in on the 8 : degree : > > mark? : > >

: > > Also, I have a timing light but not sure it's working. I tested it by : > > putting it on the battery without the spark plug part attached but no : light : > > came out. Should the light light up without being attached to the spark : > > plug? : > >

: > > Thanks again, : > >

: > > Bill : > >

: > > > > Can anyone give me a crash introduction on how to set the timing : without : > > a : > > > > timing light on a 83 I6 258 with a stock carb? : > > > >

: > > > > I'm going to do a nutter bypass tomorrow and that's the only part I : have : > > no : > > > > experience with. : > > > >

: > > > > The NBP document says to set the timing to 8 degrees BTDC (before : top : > > dead : > > > > center). How do I know when this is reached? Can I do this without : a : > > > > timing light? I do have a timing light but no experience on how to : use : > > it. : > > > >

: > > > > Also, my understanding on adjusting the timing is buy loosing the : > > > > distributor and turning it. Is this correct? : > > > >

: > > > > If anyone can pass me any information to help I would appreciate it. : > > Links, : > > > > comments, anything. : > > > >

: > > > > Thanks, : > > > >

: > > > > Bill : :

He's got a timing light.

Woah, man they have me even confused....

To start, look down on the passenger side of the engine right above the crank pulley. There you will find a bar with a bunch of lines on it. If you clean this bar off, you will see numbers on top of the lines like

I use a white marker to highlight the 8 deg line so I have a reference.

Then before you start messing around, put the timing light on. It will need power and one line tagging the spark plug wire for number 1.

Unplug the vacuum line to the distributor and plug the line with a bolt or stick.

Start the engine and point the timing light down at the crank pulley and the above mentioned bunch of lines.

The light will flash when number 1 fires and you will see a notch on the crank pulley light up. (you can paint this notch white too, typing whiteout works well)

The notch on the crank pulley will be beside one of the lines on the gauge, this will tell you what it is set at now, before you start, likely close to the 8 mark.

To change this pulley notch position, you loosen the distributor and gently turn it. You might need two people for this unless you have really long arms.

Try this before you go cutting into wires so you have a feel for it.

Once the bypass is done, start it back up and you will se the notch on the pulley has moved a 'long' way off. You then turn the distributor gently until it comes back to 8 or 9 degrees.

Tighten the distributor down and double check the marks.

Then you can set up the carb mix screws and enjoy!

Mike

William Oliveri wrote:

Do you live near anyone in this NG?? If you live near Yuba City, Ca - I'll come show you....