Timing Revisited

J

j_macy

Member
Can someone point me to a link as to properly setting the time in a 8BA engine (step by step) for a stock set up.
Thanks
 
You did say 8BA. Go to the same site, Van Pelt's, and look up 49-53.
I use a timing light on ours and set it at 2 deg BTDC. Timing mark is on the crank pulley.

Tune Up Specifications - 1949 to 1953 Flathead V8 engines
 
Pardon me for my lack of knowledge......the timing mark is the bump on the crank pulley correct? Should that line up exactly with the pointer? How are the degrees calculated?
 
Yes, that is a good starting point and should be close to 2 deg BTDC. The other thing is to make sure the engine is at TDC and not 180 deg out of phase. You can remove the #1 plug wire and block the hole with your thumb. You should be able to feel compression as you slowly turn the engine. If you're uncertain if it's at TDC, look in with a flashlight and you can watch the valves going though the four cycles as well. If the distributor has been removed you will want to rotate it so that the points are just beginning to open when aligned with #1 spark plug wire.
 
Number one cap terminal post should align with the rotor when it's pointing down at about 6 o'clock if viewed from the right side looking down at the distributor with the cap off.

Disconnect the vacuum line running from the carb to the dizzy at the vacuum can and cap the line off. Connect in a timing light that will work on 6-volt or use a 12-volt battery to operate it if it is voltage sensitive. Fire up the engine and find the pointer down adjacent to the crankshaft pully on the right side upper quadrant area with the strobe firing. Adjust the little bump on the pulley to align with the pointer then secure the distributor hold down. Reconnect the vacuum line and thats about it.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top