I just recently pulled my tranny out and had work done to it. I put it back in but since it is a 5 speed conversion it’s pretty tough to get it up to the engine with the firewall. I pulled the distributor to allow the engine to rock back another inch. I completely forgot that it would through the timing off...(i wasn't thinking) ...i tried to crank the engine and it starts but extremely rough and dies instantly...

Since this is my first non fuel injected car...i have only the general idea on how to retime it correctly...can i do this myself with a timing light? if so how do I...( i don't have any repair manuals yet...only owned the car for a month or so)

Thanks, Phil

1st you need to get the engine to #1 TDC. Use a screwdriver to feel in the spark plug hole while you turn the engine. When it is at TDC, install the distributer so that the rotor is poining at the #1 plug wire.
Now have someone try to start it while you turn the dizzy slightly until it starts to fire. I have never needed to use a timing light when tuning an 02. Just advance it until it runs the smoothest by ear. Take it for a spin and if it pings at all, stop and retard it a bit.

did you mean ..install the distributor so the rotor is pointing on the #1 plug wire? or...just before it would hit the contact for the #1 or while it is on the contact...?

you want have the rotor on the #1 plug, because the #1 cylinder when on TDC is at the top of its compression stroke. so basically if you put the rotor before the #1 plug the spark plug will spark when the cylinder is going down and will be out of time

I think i got that right

Just put it together that way, then you're going to turn the dizzy to advance or retard it it until it runs right.

Matt

If it trys to crank and gets stuck, kinda like a low battery, you need to retard the timing. Advance is towards the firewall ( counter clockwise) <---someone check me on that.

you want have the rotor on the #1 plug, because the #1 cylinder when on TDC is at the top of its compression stroke. so basically if you put the rotor before the #1 plug the spark plug will spark when the cylinder is going down and will be out of time



I think what you were trying to say is this:

1) Look at the distributor cap and note where the #1 spark plug wire is on the outside of the cap.

2) When you put the distributor back into the engine, make sure the rotor is pointed so that it's contact end (the long end) is making contact with where the #1 cylinder spark plug wire contact is on the inside of the distributor cap.

Hope that description makes sense.

-Are you asking how to use a timing light?

-If not, listen to the other guys here

-If so, connect the two leads to the battery or alternator and the pickup to the number one wire. Point the light at the front damper and run the engine, noting where the light beam strikes in relation to the timing marks. Retard or advance as nessisary. (This is how to do it on a sb chevy. if m10s are different some one correct me)

thanks guys...i'll let ya know how it whent...

Some 02s have the timing marks on the bellhousing. Its a little ball. When using a timing light, you line up the ball with the hole. That will get you in the ballpark. Its located at the center of the firewall, straight down.

Don't bother with a timing light, just set it by trial and error. Our cars are all so old and most are modified, so the stock specs for advance aren't going to be the best for everyone. The best thing to do is advance it by steps until it pings under load then back it off a little bit.

Matt

1st you need to get the engine to #1 TDC. Use a screwdriver to feel in the spark plug hole while you turn the engine. When it is at TDC, install the distributer so that the rotor is poining at the #1 plug wire.
Now have someone try to start it while you turn the dizzy slightly until it starts to fire. I have never needed to use a timing light when tuning an 02. Just advance it until it runs the smoothest by ear. Take it for a spin and if it pings at all, stop and retard it a bit.

I've worked on distributers a long time ago, but what you're saying is correct. I would like to clarify something that might be confusing. Yes, turn the engine to TDC (you can do this by putting the car in the HIGHEST-not 1st gear but 4th or 5th- gear possible and pushing/pulling the car forward/backwards thereby causing the motor to move just a little) or buy turning the crankshaft.

Once it's at TDC then mount the distributor on the block and turn the rotor so it's just getting to the #1 plug. This should get the engine going and then use a timing light to make final adjustments or do it that way "Matt" suggests.

The next time you take the distributor out, don't move the crank or you'll have to do this again.

thanks guys...i got it running tonight...took a long time but did it...heres another question...

if i wanted to advance the timing to give me some better power at higher RPMs (im running a 32/36 weber) i heard things like... "advance at such and such degrees at 4k or 3k".....so all i do is just turn the distributer while the engine is at that desired RPM untill satisified with the "smoothness" of the engine? or am i wrong...this is the first time i have ever messed with timing on an engine. and i dont have a timing light, worth barrowing one to do this?

Do what I said above. Set the timing so it runs well to start off. Go for a drive and make sure you really air it out, and load the engine a lot, like by going into a high gear at low speed and flooring it. If you hear any pinging at any time, back the timing off a little bit. If you don't, advance it a little bit. Either way, go test it out again by really loading the engine down. Repeat this a few times, and eventually you will find the timing point that gives you the max performance without pinging at all.

Matt

ya, I park at the bottom of this big hill road, screw with the timing, haul ass up the hill, head back down, screw with timing. Repeat.

ya, I park at the bottom of this big hill road, screw with the timing, haul ass up the hill, head back down, screw with timing. Repeat.
Yup. That's the technique. Remember, we're talking about an adjustment of 2-3 degrees each time, not much at all. Dont turn the dizzy a quarter turn each time... :eek:

Matt

thanks for the help....i got it running real good now...

phil