Setting the initial timing on a chevy small block. PT1

[MrMth01]

dude i liked your video. I appreciated the lesson. my 78 chevy 4x4 is popping like a shotgun goes off ( at times ) do you think i should try to adjust my timing on it or is it another problem. I made me some notes against your sketch's, i'm gonna tryn do mine. i have freaking dial up internet. thats one reason i don't have my truck on here to view. i'm painting it now. going to be sharp i hope. my motor is a 4 bolt main. thanks again i'm going to tryn keep watching your videos tho. MTH

[Psi4tsi]

great video, especially for people who aren't very familiar with working on these things.

One thing though, isn't the dizzy driven by the camshaft, which in turn drive the oil pump

[jnimrichter]

Thanks for the video. I was looking for an easy way to explain initial timing to my son as we work on his Nova. This was the ticket!

[spooks94]

I have a cam, I dont know about as per the diameter or what ever the mechanic is saying. I have a video of my engine which was making a sound that seems to had gone away. Will this method work for my engine? As far as timing.

We do not know whether its hydrological or solid lifters. Any advice?

[Giovanni12332]

thanks man, very helpful video.

[500hpb20]

Whiskey !!

[bumpstickc6]

youre a fuckin dumb ass

[Charlie3mm]

Can you rotate the engine by hand with an automatic transmission?

[Psi4tsi]

@Charlie3mm yes

[Southerlandjoseph]

Still suck I am gonna make a video of the right way to do it and your motor looks like shit and number one should not just go any were

[yorgle11]

Finding TDC this way is good if you're in doubt about whether the timing marks are correct. Only thing I'd disagree with is I don't think you should find TDC while moving backwards, because of slack in the timing chain. It's better to find it while moving forwards so the timing will be stretched the same direction as it will be when the engine is running.

That's probably a minor point though unless the timing is in crappy shape.

[bplayer]

Not a bad video. You have an above average knowledge of what you are talking about. There will be haters..:)

[chevy383heartbeat]

dude you suck at getting to the point, did you watch a video on youtube to figure all that shit out, you are dumb.

[rayfliger]

@chevy383heartbeat Takes one to know one.....

[laythywbas]

very nice and easy thanx alot man nice vedio A++++

[jthorne88]

Got my first 350 small block project vehicle. Old 1982 chevy c-10. vids like these help so much. Thanks bro. :)

[semco72057]

I enjoyed most of the video as it reminded me of what I use to know about engine timing. I have to work on a 2.8L engine or hire someone to set the timing since the person who rebuilt it didn't know how to time the engine due to the electronic ignition on it. Thanks for the video and the help.

[jayguy173]

how about i explode on your face

[seapeddler]

First safety tip is to chuck that belt-driven fan and get a high performance Zirgo fan.

They work exceptionally well. They are a tad loud, but are great fans.

[jrohrback]

Thanks for the video. You helped me get my truck fired up after I dropped in a new dizzy. I had the timing all out of wack but she purrs like a kitten now thanks to you. Keep up the good work.

[smearnoff5100]

way to complicated, isn't that what your were trying to avoid

[NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000]

Why don't you just look at the timing mark to hit TDC. If it is stock there won't be any problem. If it is not stock it should have been set to the correct position some where along the way when the cam was dialed in. That timing mark should be ready before you even get this far. You know what I mean.

[NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000]

Also if you are in a hurry, I know most Chevy enthusiasts point the rotor at the #1 cylinder but this is not necessary. Just drop the distributor in then line up the timing tab on #1 compression, throw your cap on, start her up. Adjust a bit to keep her running till she is warmed up. Then set your timing.

[NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000]

Your making the whole process more in depth and involved than it needs to be. Also if it is a performance engine they probably all ready know how to set timing.

[WilliamMiloh]

@NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000 Well if the #1 piston is on the exhaust stroke when you "hit the timing mark your 180* out. might do a little research before commenting. the timing mark on the balancer passes the timing tab twice every cycle. once on the intake and once on the exhaust. If you have poping and backfire through the card it's a good bet you've droped the dist 180* out. This info comes from building well over 200 motors over the last 29 tears. Miloh.

[NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000]

@WilliamMiloh I was assuming people already new how to find that. On that note you can blow me on your little research comment. Knowledge is where it's at.

[DQ81]

Great vids. Thanks for taking the time!

Quick question. You mention it doesn't matter where you start as long as you keep the wires in the correct firing order.

Does where you start effect the timing mark on the balancer relative to a timing light?

I can't find the timing index and really want to use my timing light to get the rest right.

Also I have popping thru the carb above 3.5kRPM any ideas? (tried diffrent carb)

Another reason I want to know exact timing with light..

TIA!

[fiddlerpin]

Cam drives the distributer not the oil pump. The distributer then drives the oil pump through a shaft under the distributer gear.

[fiddlerpin]

If I screw it up at least I can have a couple of shots!

[Badchevee1]

Actually the dizzy is driven by the camshaft and The oil pump shaft slips into the bottom of the dizzy... so the cam drives the dizzy which drives the oil pump,,, nice video though

[bennyb0y]

Hey thanks for this.. I like the no nonsense explanations. I am just learning and dont have an uncle or brother that knows this stuff.!! keep them coming.

[torsiondrummer]

Hey, is that a bottle of Wild Turkey on your work bench? LMAO!

[ortamenx]

Probably, is I like my whiskey. Makes mechanic work easier.

[torsiondrummer]

Right on dude!

[chaingod154]

did u use to work at franks in elk cit ok i think ive seen ur car

[ortamenx]

Nope I didn't. There is another Nova that looks just like mine some where out that way, I've saw pictures of it in forums and such. My car hasn't left Iowa, or Illinois (I live on ther border)since it was bought that dealership way back in the 70s.

[pimpinsi]

this video saved me a fortune, thanks ortamenx

[ortamenx]

No problem, glad it helped. :) Believe it or not I've got email from people who sell videos on how to set timing, with previews on youtube, asking me to take down my videos.:)

[fuckford7272]

"no one gives a shit if you can spell better than someone else" apparently you didn't graduate high school.

[Justinrednek1342]

i get it know ok i wach like 20 vids so i could fix my truck it was comfusing thank 5/5

[fuckford7272]

This guy "Justinredneck1342" is definitely a stupid redneck. DUHHHHHH, I can't spell for shit, DHHHHHHH

[availeblename]

sorry grammer queen, but no one gives a shit if you can spell better than someone else. you were the loser that had no friends in high school and consoled himself with the fact that he was smarter than the popular kids (or at least you thought) but some things never change and your more pathetic than ever