Timing problem?

[Unregistered]

I recently added an electronic ignition from Indigo. Engine would not start. I thought TDC was when the router pointed away from #4 cylinder.I rotating the flywheel counter clockwise until I felt pressure on the #1 cylinder and then aligned the pins on the fly wheel vertically. This positioned the router pointing to about 5:00 towards the block. The engine started right up. I spoke with Indigo and he said as long as the engine starts the timing is correct. I also spoke with Ken at Moyer (needed an new manifold) and he advised me to contact Don to be sure that this is correct beacause he felt the router should be pointing away from # 4 cylinder in all cases. I believe that this is the way it was before I removed the distributor. How can it now be different? I ran the engine for about 10 minutes and it seemed to run smoother. Any advice? thanks

[Don Moyer]

Here is the complete timing sequence:

Remove all spark plugs and rotate the engine in a counterclockwise direction until you begin to feel compression in the first cylinder. Stop turning at the first sign of compression, and then continue to slowly rotate the engine while observing the roll pin in the center of the flywheel. Stop turning when the roll pin is vertical. The engine is now set with the first cylinder at Top Dead Center (TDC) of its compression stroke.

6) Connect a 12 volt timing light across the primary terminals of the coil and rotate the housing of the distributor a small distance in each direction (with the ignition switch on) to locate the point where the light turns off. Retighten the hold-down bracket. This is the point in the engine rotation where the secondary discharge occurs which will be sent to the number one cylinder (at the flywheel end of the engine).

NOTE: On late model engines, it's most convenient if the tip of the rotor is pointing directly away from the block at the TDC of the number one cylinder. In this orientation, there will be proper clearance between the distributor cap and the alternator belt. On early model engines, the tip of the rotor should be pointing aft when at number one TDC to insure good clearance between the belt and the retaining clips of the cap.

7) Be certain that the plug wires are installed in the proper locations. With the engine still at the number one TDC position, the lead to the first cylinder (at the flywheel end) should be installed in the post of the distributor cap located directly over the tip of the rotor.

8) The remaining plug wires are installed in a clockwise orientation around the distributor cap in the order of the engine's firing sequence (1, 2, 4, and 3). This means that the plug lead from the distributor cap post directly to the right of number one goes to the second cylinder from the flywheel, the next post to the fourth cylinder (at the transmission end), and the lead from the next post to number three. You should then be back at the post for cylinder number one.

Regards,

Don Moyer

[Fred]

Don,

I just replaced my exhaust system which had finally cracked after some 33 years. Everything seems to be working fine.

My latest problem may be a timing problem, but I do not believe it was related to the exhaust crack.

My engine seems to be running on cylinders 1,2 and 4. The number 3 cylinders seems not to fire, when the ignition wire is firmly attached. I pulled the ignition wire and as I was going to reinstall it, the number 3 cylinder came to life, and continued to fire if the ignition wire was held at the top of the spark plug.

Could this be a timing problem?

Thanks
Fred

[baileyem]

Your problem is not related to any timing problem that I ever heard of. You more than likely have a bad spark plug wire to #3, or the connection to the distributor cap is bad, or the distributor cap itself is cracked, or bad. It could be that in removing and replacing the wire to #3 you somehow improved the continuity in the wire and the cylinder began working again. Pull the wire out of the distributor cap, and check both ends for corrosion, oil, or other crud. Check the wire for continuity with a Multi-meter and flex the wire while checking it.
If your wire ends are cruddy and the tower on the cap is cruddy, your best bet is to relace the cap and the wire rather than trying to clean it and "make do".

Mike

[Don Moyer]

Fred,

I agree with Mike that you probably do not have a timing issue. In addition to Mike's suggestions, I'm attaching a pdf of a recent Q & A we prepared on the subject.

Don

[Fred]

Thanks Mike and Don.

Fred