Guys - I just rebuilt my '59 Rambler's 195.6 OHV inline six and have been prepping for the restart. Today I used my pre-lube pressure tank to force feed oil where the sun don't shine and a couple of gallons of distilled water in the radiator. I have been very careful about timing and have adjusted the valves with patience. In setting my distributor to fire at the right moment and to get this engine running since the rebuild, should the rotor be just a little behind, spot on, or a little ahead of the tower for that specific plug? It wants to start but is acting like timing might be a little off in cranking. No, I'm not 180º off. Thanks much!
If a point distributor, set the TDC mark on the damper to the base timing mark on the timing counter. Then drop the distributor in with rotor pointing toward plug wire terminal for #1, then rotate the distributor just till the points open and lock it down.
the pointing of the rotor won't tell you much about the timing, besides which cylinder it's set to. Like he said, you have to rotate the distributor housing so the points just open, but you also have to pay attention to which way the rotor turns, so that you turn the distributor housing "into" the rotor rotation (with the crankshaft position such that the timing pointer is aligned with the correct mark on the pulley). Hard to explain....but since the rotor turns counter-clockwise on this engine, you need to be turning the housing clockwise, and stop just as the points begin to open. Connecting power to the coil primary side (like, turn on the ignition) and have a spark plug connected to the coil high voltage terminal. then watch the plug fire as you slowly turn the distributor housing.
I am a fan of electronic ignition one draw back you need to put anticize on the sparkplugs because they will be in there so long they can be hard to get out. Remember that timing mark comes every revolution and spark every other revolution.
Think of it this way, if you were on the side lines handing out water to a runner running past, where should the hand-off be? As he approaches, once alongside, or on his way past.
I suggest putting timing advanced a bunch for cam break-in. I often run 45-50 degrees total. it will lower exhaust temps a bunch,and make for a much happier motor .Of course you can't drive it like that, but just for braek-in. when setting distributor for initial start up, align timing mark about 30 degrees . it should get ya close. Most every time someone sets timing at TDC , it's ALWAYS SLOW.(retatrded)
Line up timing marks on the crank. Drop in dist. Energize the ignition. Rotate the dist. until there is spark at number one plug. Start engine and final adjust timing.
Set your distributor in after bumping/turning the the engine over with the valve cover off watching the #1 intake valve close the moving about 30* more aiming the rotor at the #1 position on the cap. Leave the hold down snug so you can turn it easily. Ignore the removing Pertronix na-sayers, just don’t leave the ignition on without it running.
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