Setting the timing

[Daniel B.]

I am having trouble timing my engine. I just purchased the '64 Vett and the engine electricals needed to be replaced. I installed new points, condenser, distributer cap and rotor, spark plugs, and spark plug wires. I did not adjust the distributer position.

I have cylinder number 1's wire connected to the cap in the first position to the left of the dwell door (looking at the distributor from the front of the car back to the fire wall). When I but the timing light on the timing mark is right of the top dead center mark when looking from the front of the car back toward the fire wall. If my thinking is right the rotor has past the number 1 plug on the cap before the engine has reached top dead center on cylinder #1. Therefore the distributer needs to be rotated clockwise to retard the spark, but the vacuum advance fixture is up against the coil and won't allow the distributer to rotate clockwise.

Do I have to pull the distributer out and move it back a tooth so I can rotate the distributer or is there another adjustment to be made?

[Edward J.]

Re: Setting the timing

Dan, This the same issue I had with my 63 after A engine rebuild, the after market cams are not quite the same as the factory in reguards to gear position just a few degrees off, the fix is to pull the dist. and knock the roll pin out of the dist. drive gear, and rotate the gear 180 degrees and then reset the timing.

[Daniel B.]

Re: Setting the timing

Edward
The timing is around 12 degrees advanced. Would rotating the gear on the base of the distributer 180 degrees make up for this much advance?

[Daniel B.]

Re: Setting the timing

I guess I'm getting confused. If the top dead center mark is past the block timing scale when spark occurs the spark would be retarded not advanced.

[Edward J.]

Re: Setting the timing

Dan, if the dist. in not of a tooth, the only option is to rotate the dist gear. I wouls say that you can mke up the difference, Its been quite some time since I did this to my 63, but can tell you once the dist. hit the intake or coil bracket that is the next step.the gear rotation is equal to about a half a tooth.( about 22 degrees )If .I did my math right.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Setting the timing

Daniel,

I think your distributor is one tooth off. lift it just enough to clear the canshaft gear and walk it counter clockwise (i think) one tooth. You can also set the timing marks at TDC (damper and timing chain cover) then lift the distributor and walk it clockwise around until the rotor points to the #1 wire position on the cap. When you walk it around clockwise it will pick up the oil pump drive slot and that will also walk clockwise one tooth at a time.

If you miss the correct position simply go around again but one tooth at a time so you can keep the oil pump slot lined up and the distributor will drop all the way down.

[Frank D.]

Re: Setting the timing

Daniel,

I think your distributor is one tooth off. lift it just enough to clear the canshaft gear and walk it counter clockwise (i think) one tooth. You can also set the timing marks at TDC (damper and timing chain cover) then lift the distributor and walk it clockwise around until the rotor points to the #1 wire position on the cap. When you walk it around clockwise it will pick up the oil pump drive slot and that will also walk clockwise one tooth at a time.

If you miss the correct position simply go around again but one tooth at a time so you can keep the oil pump slot lined up and the distributor will drop all the way down.

A very simple method I use exclusively.
I'd try that before I yanked the distributor and removed roll pins...

[Duke W.]

Re: Setting the timing

There have been many threads on this subject.

Before you proceed, you need to procure an 1963 Corvette Shop Manual, and a '64 supplement.

It sounds like your ignition wires are indexed properly, but you need to compare with the photo in the '63 Shop Manual to be sure.

You also need to tell us the engine configuration. Is it original? Has it been modified?

The distributor gear has 13 teeth, so rotating the gear 180 degrees on the shaft will alter the dist. position about 13 degrees at any timing value. If the dist. hits the manifold or coil bracket at or near the timing spec then the gear is probably on backwards. With OE/OE equivalent cams the gear dimple should point in the same direction as the rotor tip, but some aftermarket cams require it to be 180 out.

Do some searches to learn more about these issues including how to install the distributor and how to static time the engine so the timing is near or at your target when you start it up.

Duke

[Daniel B.]

Re: Setting the timing

Fixed the problem. Pulled the distributer and advanced it 1 tooth. Fired up instantaneously.

The problem started when a couple of wires came off the distributor and I put them back on in the positions outlined in the shop manual. Tried to start the car and it started back firing. Thinking I messed something up I retraced all the spark plug wires and made sure they were in the correct position on the cap per the shop manual. Car would not fire at all, not even a back fire. Did not suspect timing at this point because the car ran before the wires came off. Long story short...all new points, condenser, rotor, cap, wires, and plugs...still no go. Figure the timing must have been set up for the way they had the old wires set in the distributor.