Swearbody
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2018
- Posts
- 701
- Reaction score
- 716
- Location
- Birmingham AL
- First Name
- Jeff
- Truck Year
- 84
- Truck Model
- C1500
- Engine Size
- 355 sbc
The one thing that stood out there is "base timing of 8". You're saying I might not need to be at 0 degrees on the timing mark?
Youll need the timing mark to be at 0 to know you are on tdc. The ignition will happen before the cylinder reaches tdc..say 8deg...or 12...or whatever its set to. as rpm increases so does the timing advance. By 3000rpm your at 30+deg advanced.
Matt is telling you how to set the initial for first fire up
drop your dizzy in with it at 8deg btdc and you are close enough to get it to run at least. If its stock 8deg may be ok to run...i prefer 10-12 but have a non stock setup.
I drop my dizzy in at tdc and then set the initial by eye but have done this dozens of times.
the distributor will work regardless of its position in the engine as long as its set close. you position it according to the amount of room you have to turn it which in our cases is pointed at the driver side. a tooth or two off and you just turn the dizzy.
If on an engine stand you can theoretically drop the dizzy in pointed all kinds of off because you have the travel in the dizzy to make up for the off position.
Once the crank and cam are chained together they turn together. The distributor is there to retard or advance the spark to when its needed. if your ignition didnt happen before tdc you wouldnt burn the mixture fully before expelling it out the exhaust. meaning the combustion wouldnt be ideal...or at all.