Iv'e taken my dizzy out without marking its position. I need to set the timing. I don't have a timing light, can I do this? I mean if its off I'll get the shop to do it. I just want to find out if my carb won't leak. And i don't want to get it towed so..

 

Invest in an inductive timing light. They are one of the most handy tuning tools you can have.

You will have to bring the engine around to #1 TDC compression stroke (the piston hits TDC TWICE per combustion cycle. Once you establish TDC, stab the distributor and note which terminal the rotor is pointing to. Make that terminal the #1 plug wire. Then, in a clockwise manner, follow the SBC firing order around (1, 8, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7, 2). From here it should be rough. If you are good enough, you can set it by ear, however, that is still innacurate at best. To truly set the timing you need a light. Depending on quality and features, they can range from $20 on up. I like the lights with the built in advance.

 

ok i followed the directions, wouldn't start. Just kept turning over. Shouldn't it have at least started, albeight eradic?

 

Are you sure youre on #1 firing and not #6? Both are at TDC at the same time. When one is firing, the other is exhaust. Try pulling the dizzy and rotating the shaft exactly 180° and restabbing it.

 

I had rotated the crank to TDC at cylinder #1, put the dizzy in and it pointed at number one as well. I marked all the terminals on the dizzy with tape in the correct manner as shown in my book. I didn't even smell gas when trying to start it, I have put a new fuel pump on lately as well.

 

#1 make sure you have fuel. It takes two things to make fire, gas and spark.

#2 Just because it is at TDC #1 doesnt mean that it is on the compression stroke. Pull the sparkplug, and put your finger over the hole. Have someone bump the key till you feel it push air against your finger. Then put it at TDC. Stab the Distributor with the rotor pointing at the #1 terminal, and you should be good to go.

If you follow #2, and you have fuel to the engine, you will start. Assuming your ignition is funtctioning. Are you sure it is all up to par?

 

I'll try again when i get my new coil, cap and rotor. But is it normal for the engine to not even fire even though timing is all whack?