When you have your timing chain lined up to #1 at TDC, and the rotor pointing to #1 also, and then you start your car to set the timing.....does it throw off the line up say if it doesn't start or something? Or does it not matter?

I am asking because I am ready to set the timing and I don't want to crank the engine, and have it not start or somehting be wrong, and then have to line everything up all over again.

Is there a chance that the line up of everything could get messed up, or am I just worrying too much??

Thanks for the help.

 

no sure what you've doen or what you're asking, so i'll try to cover all the bases. set you crank and cam gear dot to dot (if you've changed cams or gears) then spin the crank one time till both dots are straight up, and the dampner mark is pointed to 0* on the timing tab. set the rotor to point to #1 post on the cap. the engine should fire up, maybe have to move the distributor a little.

 

I was just wondering if I cranked the engine AFTER doing all the things you just mentioned...........and it didn't start, would everything(cam,crank,dist.) still be lined up right to set the timing?

I guess it doesn't really matter anymore because I already started it and set the timing. I only went 5 degrees advance because I started hearing a whistling type noise.

And because I have the Cloyes 3 keyway set to advance it 4 degrees to begin with. Just thought I would try to clear up what I was talking about, and try to sneak some more expert advice requests in at the end.