Timing

[Byron Warwick]

What is the correct timing for the late flathead.
Sorry for the simple ? I am having backfiring issues and I need a refresher course.
Byron.

 

[rotorwrench]

On US engines, (should be same as Canadian for the most part) the dimple on the crank pulley is 2 degrees BTDC (crankshaft) and it should align with the pointer on the timing cover, at idle, with the vacuum advance disconnected and plugged.

If it is backfiring through the carb inlet, it is too lean. If it's after firing in the exhaust, it may have a bad power valve leak. This is if the distributos rotor aligns with the #1 position on the cap when the #1 cylinder is up on compression stroke near TDC.

 

[dmsfrr]

If it has points set them correctly before adjusting timing.

 

[craig]

Make sure the distributor cap isn't cracked or full of carbon tracking